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Crop Duster With an Attitude!

Birdog8585

Birdog8585

Milk and Honey
pilot
Contributor
Looks like there's another contender for the light attack role. Nothing like a ol' crop duster with an uppercut.


http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20090606.aspx

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/06/photos-new-gunship-flies-to-pa.html

AT-802U_3-thumb-560x381-37414.jpg
 
For a plane that weighs 14K+ pounds, that has to be the most efficient engine ever.

I kind of wonder if some units of measure weren't messed up in that. A single-engine aircraft that can lift 21K pounds seems a bit suspect to me. I'm not saying it can't be done, but...
 
Okay, after further review, maybe... I hate to quote Wikipedia, but according to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT-802 the civilian version is a 16K pound aircraft, so maybe that's 14K pounds total w/ ordnance, which would make more sense.
 
The 21K total weight is probably right. Remember, these things are designed for heavy lifting and getting a large amount of liquid (not exactly light) to crops.
 
SDNalgene said:
The Afghans need a sturdy trainer and attack fighter. The ability to spray the Taliban's poppy fields might also come in handy.

Best line in the both articles.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, they would probably spray it with fertilizer - or is that what you meant :)
 
Bevo said:
The 21K total weight is probably right. Remember, these things are designed for heavy lifting and getting a large amount of liquid (not exactly light) to crops.
Click to expand...

Right, but the original design weight is 16K. The plane itself only weighs ~7K. I know it's got a suped-up PT6, but I doubt it can provide an additional 5K of juice at 180 knots (which is the civilian cruising speed, as well).

Regardless, I want an airplane that burns 10 pounds/hour and can do 150+ knots.
 
Gatordev said:
Regardless, I want an airplane that burns 10 pounds/hour and can do 150+ knots.
Click to expand...

No kidding. If some engineer can crack that efficiency code, they are going to be a really wealthy man. My lawnmower uses fuel at a faster rate than that.
 
Birdog8585 said:
Looks like there's another contender for the light attack role. Nothing like a ol' crop duster with an uppercut.


http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20090606.aspx

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-dewline/2009/06/photos-new-gunship-flies-to-pa.html

AT-802U_3-thumb-560x381-37414.jpg
Click to expand...

It's wing is slightly larger than the venerable Skyraider. It certainly has potential for Irregular Warfare in semi-permissive environments. It will get a serious look once it's available on the flightline.

2%2021%20A-1H%20N39606%20left%20front%20in%20flight%20m.jpg
 
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