Air Tractor AT-802: Difference between revisions
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===Armed version=== |
===Armed version=== |
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In response to the [[U.S. Air Force]]'s [[Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance|LAAR]] program and the growing requirement for light [[COIN]] aircraft, Air Tractor developed an armed model, the AT-802U, in 2008, with engine and cockpit armor, a bulletproof windscreen, self-sealing fuel tanks, and structural reinforcements for the carriage of {{convert|9000|lb|kg}} of payload. A reinforced wing spar was certified for 12,000 hours of flight time,<ref>http://www.airtractor.com/new-products-for-2010</ref> and the AT-802U was displayed in 2008 at the Paris Air Show. <ref>http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/06/photos-new-gunship-flies-to-pa.html</ref> |
In response to the [[U.S. Air Force]]'s [[Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance|LAAR]] program and the growing requirement for light [[COIN]]{{which}} aircraft, Air Tractor developed an armed model, the AT-802U, in 2008, with engine and cockpit armor, a bulletproof windscreen, self-sealing fuel tanks, and structural reinforcements for the carriage of {{convert|9000|lb|kg}} of payload. A reinforced wing spar was certified for 12,000 hours of flight time,<ref>http://www.airtractor.com/new-products-for-2010</ref> and the AT-802U was displayed in 2008 at the Paris Air Show. <ref>http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/06/photos-new-gunship-flies-to-pa.html</ref> |
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<ref>http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/paris_air_show/air-tractor-at-802u-paris-air-show-2009-31248.aspx</ref> |
<ref>http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/paris_air_show/air-tractor-at-802u-paris-air-show-2009-31248.aspx</ref> |
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Revision as of 11:36, 7 August 2010
| AT-802 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Air Tractor AT-802 SEAT (Single Engine Air Tanker) landing at Fox Field, Lancaster, California, while fighting the North Fire | |
| Role | Agricultural / Fire-fighting aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Air Tractor |
| First flight | 1990 |
The Air Tractor AT-802 is an agricultural and fire-fighting aircraft that first flew in the United States in October 1990. The AT-802 carries a chemical hopper between the engine firewall and the cockpit and another one under the belly. In the U.S., it is considered a Type III SEAT, or Single Engine Air Tanker.[1] As of 2007, it is the largest agricultural-type aircraft to enter production.
Development
In its standard configuration, the aircraft utilizes conventional landing gear (two main wheels and a tail wheel). However, a number of aircraft have been converted to the Fire Boss configuration, which utilizes Wipaire 10000 amphibious floats, so that it can land on a traditional runway or on water. The Fire Boss can scoop water from a lake or river for use on a fire. In addition to the standard fuselage-mounted retardant tank, the Fire Boss can have optional tanks (70 gallons) in the floats.[2] Operations with floats installed have been shown to produce a shorter and narrower retardant drop pattern than wheeled AT-802s.[3]
Armed version
In response to the U.S. Air Force's LAAR program and the growing requirement for light COIN[which?] aircraft, Air Tractor developed an armed model, the AT-802U, in 2008, with engine and cockpit armor, a bulletproof windscreen, self-sealing fuel tanks, and structural reinforcements for the carriage of 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) of payload. A reinforced wing spar was certified for 12,000 hours of flight time,[4] and the AT-802U was displayed in 2008 at the Paris Air Show. [5] [6]
Variants
- AT-802 - two seat cockpit
- AT-802A - single-seat cockpit
- AT-802U - two seat heavily armored military version, modified with sensors and reinforced for weapons carriage[7]
- AT-802F or AT-802AF - A firefighting model 802 equipped with the Air Tractor Computerized Firegate[8]
- Fire Boss - A model 802 equipped with Wipaire amphibious floats[8]
Operators
- Córdoba Province - Fire-fighting
- Croatian Air Force - 5 AT-802A Fire Boss + 1 AT-802F
- Aerospray, Inc. [11]
- Macedonian Aviation - 3 x AT-802F [14]
- Forest Protection Limited[15], New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources - 6 AT-802F and 1 AT-802A Fire Boss
- Conair Group
- 2 AT-802A Fire Boss[16]
- 2 AT-802A Fire Boss Protezione Civile
Specifications (AT-802)
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Capacity: 810 US Gal (3,070 L) chemicals
Performance
Specifications (AT-802U)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (tandem)
- Length: 35 ft 8 in (10.87 m)
- Wingspan: 59 ft 1 in (18 m)
- Height: 11 ft 6 in (3.5 m)
- Wing area: 401 sq ft (37.3 m2)
- Empty weight: 6,400 lb (2,903 kg)
- Gross weight: 16,000 lb (7,257 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 16,000 lb (7,257 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67F turboprop, 1,600 shp (1,200 kW)
- Propellers: 5-bladed Hartzell HC-B3TN
Performance
- Maximum speed: 230 mph (370 km/h, 200 kn)
- Cruise speed: 180 mph (300 km/h, 160 kn)
- Range: 1,800 mi (3,000 km, 1,600 nmi)
- Endurance: 10 hours
- Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Armament
- 8 hardpoints for up to 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) payload, including but not limited to:
- 2 500lb or 1000 pound smart bombs
- 8 AGM-114 Hellfire laser guided missiles
- 38 2.75-in folding fin aerial rockets
- 2 GAU-19 .50-calibre gunpods
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ "Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations 2007, Chapter 17" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
- ^ Wipaire Fire Boss Service Manual
- ^ "Evaluation of Long Term Retardant Drop Patterns from Air Tractor 802 Amphibious Float and Wheel Equipped Aircraft", Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada, February 2006
- ^ http://www.airtractor.com/new-products-for-2010
- ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/06/photos-new-gunship-flies-to-pa.html
- ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/paris_air_show/air-tractor-at-802u-paris-air-show-2009-31248.aspx
- ^ http://www.airliners.net/photo/Air-Tractor-AT-802U/1541355/L/&sid=83b35354842781bae8574ad3dc203c99
- ^ a b www.Airtractor.com AT802A
- ^ Keijsper 2008, pp. 43.
- ^ www.Avialsa.com
- ^ www.airtractor.com - first us contract
- ^ Dunn Aviation - Firebombing
- ^ [1],
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- Bibliography
- Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing. pp. 31–32.
- Keijsper, Gerard. "Water-Bombers Required!" Air Forces Monthly, London: Key Publishing, July 2008 Issue.
External links
