View Full Version : USSOCOM adopts the AT-802U Sky Warden
Basically the poor mans A-10:
WASHINGTON — U.S. Special Operations Command on Monday announced it has selected the AT-802U Sky Warden, made by L3Harris Technologies and Air Tractor, for its Armed Overwatch program.
The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract will be worth up to $3 billion, L3Harris said in a release Monday. The initial program contract award is for $170 million.
Air Tractor is an aircraft manufacturer from Olney, Texas, that typically makes firefighting aircraft and agricultural planes such as crop dusters.
Initial production of the Sky Warden will take place at Air Tractor’s facility in Olney. L3Harris will then modify those planes into the Armed Overwatch mission configuration at its Tulsa, Oklahoma modification center, beginning in 2023. L3Harris said work will also take place at its other sites in Greenville, Rockwall and Waco, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee.
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/08/01/us-special-operations-command-chooses-l3harris-sky-warden-for-armed-overwatch-effort/
Gabriel556
08-05-22, 09:55
I can say, the AT-802 is a bad ass platform so this could be a really awesome overwatch platform. Long loiter times and massive payload capacity. The armor around the cockpit is added bonus and makes this even more like an A-10. It can stay in theater long enough the pilot will need a break before the plane needs refueled.
I can say, the AT-802 is a bad ass platform so this could be a really awesome overwatch platform. Long loiter times and massive payload capacity. The armor around the cockpit is added bonus and makes this even more like an A-10. It can stay in theater long enough the pilot will need a break before the plane needs refueled.
And compared to other options, a bargain $ no doubt. It's cool and interesting that with all the high tech stuff we have, a low and slow fancy crop duster is being used today. They could have gone with some drone that costs far more and half as good in the role. Good on them.
Oddly enough, the pilot who does our crops flies one of these, but its bright yellow.
He was out today doing the neighbors property. I imagine he pretends he is doing CAS missions while banking and diving and "strafing" those pesky weeds and bugs in the corn.
Gabriel556
08-05-22, 12:57
A family friend just got a new 802 this spring. Every summer he participates in the “war on bugs”.
I remember watching those crop duster planes and helicopters when I lived in South Texas and those pilots were nuts. They would fly at like 30 feet off the ground straight towards power lines and then pop straight up at the last second to go over them.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?236971-SOCOM-awards-quot-Armed-Overwatch-quot-contract
Crop dusters of death. :dirol:
I guess this is the 21st Century version of the A1E Skyraider? I'll bet it isn't tank-like in it's build like the Skyraider was, but given modern technology in weapons systems it might not be necessary to run in low against heavy AAA striking the Ho Chi Minh Trail or supporting a MACV-SOG team. Stand-off weapons with pinpoint accuracy is the ticket!
Gabriel556
08-05-22, 21:42
It’s pretty close. 1100lbs of armor added over the ag model. 59’ wingspan, 36’ long, and needs a 13’ hangar door, this is close to a Skyraider.
https://airtractor.com/aircraft/at-802a/
6700lbs, 1200shp engine, 16k lb gross weight
https://802u.com/aircraft-specifications/
7836 lbs empty weight, 1600shp engine 16k lb gross weight.
It’s pretty close. 1100lbs of armor added over the ag model. 59’ wingspan, 36’ long, and needs a 13’ hangar door, this is close to a Skyraider.
https://airtractor.com/aircraft/at-802a/
6700lbs, 1200shp engine, 16k lb gross weight
https://802u.com/aircraft-specifications/
7836 lbs empty weight, 1600shp engine 16k lb gross weight.
Damn! Kinda sounds like what they did with the Humvees early in the GWOT.....up-armor them.
Thanks for the links and info. We apparently will have a modern Skyraider back in the arsenal, only this time around with "fly one up your ass" technology! Win-win!
Gabriel556
08-06-22, 16:22
No problem. To put this one into better perspective, the AT802U has 22’ more wingspan than a P51, with 300 more HP, weighs about 200lbs more empty, and has 4000lbs higher gross weight.
The A1 Skyraider had 10’ less wingspan, empty weight of 12000lbs, and could carry about 6000 max gross. This is a big plane no doubt, and because of its heritage stout as hell.
Eight hours endurance and 6,000 lbs of weapons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OloKDSNe10U
Eight hours endurance and 6,000 lbs of weapons.
Damn, 6,000 lbs of ordnance! Now THAT is respectable, especially since "dumb bombs" are a relic of the past and smart munitions rule the day. That is a shitload of Hellfires for aerial "sniping" with a good loiter time.
I know they look cool and all, but an 802 at gross weight barely flies at sea-level.
It is an overloaded, underpowered, clumsy pile of garbage.
This is going to be a complete failure for anything other than Air Tractor Inc getting sweet government cheese.
That is one ugly plane
The Skyraiders were tough looking, the Embraer Tucano is hot and looks like a Mustang and T28 Trojan had a sleek baby. I like them.
I guess somebody at SOCOM saw a need for these things, probably in specific roles/circumstances (Africa?). In a Ukraine-type conflict I think their attrition rate would be pretty rough.
fedupflyer
08-13-22, 22:49
So does a type rating apply before or after the up armor?
fedupflyer
08-13-22, 22:50
I guess somebody at SOCOM saw a need for these things, probably in specific roles/circumstances (Africa?). In a Ukraine-type conflict I think their attrition rate would be pretty rough.
I bet they saw what Eric Prince was doing a few yrs ago and they copied that.
I guess somebody at SOCOM saw a need for these things, probably in specific roles/circumstances (Africa?). In a Ukraine-type conflict I think their attrition rate would be pretty rough.
Helping the IRS keep us in line?
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