Air Tractor 802U prikazan na Farnborough Airshow-u
Citat:New Air Tractor 802U Surveillance Aircraft Flies Across the Atlantic to Farnborough Airshow
(Source: Combined Air Ventures LLC; issued July 15, 2010)
BELGRADE, Montana --- The Air Tractor AT-802U today completed its transatlantic flight, from Newfoundland to the Azores to England, to display its new capabilities at the 2010 Farnborough Air Show. Air Tractor and Air Tractor Military Dealer CAV (Combined Air Ventures LLC) will display the aircraft and demonstrate its new electronics, sensors and weapons. Visit us at Farnborough on the flight line, section F3.
The Air Tractor 802 is the largest agricultural aircraft in production and the most successful single-engine firefighting aircraft. The Air Tractor 802 “U” version at Farnborough displays military capabilities previously only available in aircraft that cost 5-10 times more. We know of no other aircraft that delivers so much capability and costs so little.
Air Tractor Military Dealer CAV specializes in creating customized, low-cost, turnkey utility aircraft solutions for border and coastal patrol, surveillance, counter-insurgency, oil spill clean-up, and a wide variety of other applications.
Unlike other surveillance aircraft, the Air Tractor was built to be operated from farm fields and dirt roads, and maintained out of the back of a truck. It has the capability to reduce the cost and footprint of military operations while bringing state-of-the-art sensors and weapons to remote and austere locations. The exceptional 10-hour time on station of the Air Tractor and the massive 8,000-pound useful load allow the aircraft to carry a wide range of sensors and weapons.
The highlight of the AT-802U surveillance package is the L3 Wescam MX-15Di sensor turret and laser target designator. The MX-15 is integrated with large HD displays and the all-new glass cockpit. Real-time video can be transmitted directly to ground units using the L3 Rover datalink.
The aircraft weapons include the precision Mini Talon GPS-INS guided weapon, dual GAU-19 .50 caliber Gatling guns with over 2,900 rounds, Hellfire missiles, laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket pods, and 500- or 1,000-pound laser-guided bombs.
Backed by a half-century of agricultural, fire fighting, and armored aircraft experience, the team at Air Tractor has a proven record of producing durable, uncomplicated, purpose-built, affordable aircraft. Their rugged aircraft design and manufacturing expertise is demonstrated by 2,500+ aircraft sales and exports to more than 30 countries.
Није ми само јасно, које тржиште "гађају" овим авионом? Или је ово само захебанција нека....
Nije zaxebancija - evo šta kaže marketing menadžer Air Tractora na pomenutom Air šou (pogledati veoma zanimljiv video)
Uostalom, oni ozbiljno računaju na prodaju i već su našli prvog inostranog kupca ali detalji o prodaji za sada su poslovna tajna....
Citat:FARNBOROUGH: Air Tractor sells anti-insurgent fighter to first customer
DATE:23/07/10
SOURCE:Flight Daily News
By Stephen Trimble
Texas-based Air Tractor has launched production of the AT-802U surveillance, precision strike and utility aircraft for an undisclosed foreign customer, chief designer Lee Jackson confirms.
Details about the order's size and identity remain secret at the request of the customer, Jackson says.
The converted cropduster parked on the static line also displayed a full array of weaponry, including an all-new precision glide bomb with 3m (10ft) circular error probable (CEP) accuracy in the 50kg (110lb)-class designed by Moog/FTS that is called the "border protection weapon" (BPW).
The AT-802 made its international debut last year at the Paris air show amid a global revival for aircraft optimised for counter-insurgency missions, which require low-speed envelope capability, long endurance and a mix of precision and standard weapons.
With the ability to carry a 4,000kg payload and 10h endurance, the AT-802U is able to carry a wide range of weapons and sensors, Jackson says.
On nine hard points, the static AT-802U carried two 50-cal GAU-19 Gatling guns, two BPWs, one AGM-114 Hellfire, four direct attack guided rockets (DAGR), two Mk82 (225kg-class) bombs and a launcher for unguided rockets.
In the fuselage beneath the nose, the AT-802 also carries a partially retractable targeting and surveillance sensor called the L-3 Communications Wescam MX-15Di.
Each GAU-19 is fed by a 2,900-round magazine stored in compartment between the cockpit and the forward fuel tank. The magazine can be removed to store extra sensors. Jackson says the space also could be used as a jump-seat for two people.
The forward fuel tank itself is an add-on since the AT-802U appeared in Paris, Jackson says. The 1,365 litres (360USgal) container nearly doubles the 1,440 litres fuel capacity in the wings.
Inside the two-seat cockpit, Air Tractor has integrated glass displays and sensor controls for both crewmembers. The MX-15Di imagery can be viewed in the back seat on a 17in display, while the pilot has a 6in screen. The imagery also can be transmitted by common datalink to the ground, a capability that Jackson says has been demonstrated for US special operations.
