I was
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Little known / experimental aircraft
- Thread starter Randy Daytona
- Start date
Who is?
How exactly do you picture that?
I’m so confused…time for a Scotch.
I just picture that Air Tractor mutant on a set of floats. It’s already a thing for a firefighting variant.
Nice, a few bombs, two machine gun pods, and some unguided rockets and you have a winner.
It’s great that exists. I really just don’t see the point.
This is the list of mods to the AT-802 to make it an amphib. Pretty interesting.
Helicopters don’t need any runways. Existing FARPs service them.
What capability is this providing the end user that an AH-1Z isn’t? “CAS on floats” isn’t an answer.
I’d start with range….800 miles vs 150 or so for a combat loaded AH-1Z. After that the only advantage is being able to land in the water, come to a stop, pick up a downed pilot and toss him in the extra seat and take back off. It shouldn’t be impossible to rig some kind of aerial refueling to the Air Tractor. Still, the AH-1 is faster and probably carries close to the same amount of armament if not more.
If this conversation is about a conflict like those of the last several years…where we have ready-to-use allied airfields very, very close by then the Air Tractor is kind of a waste of money. If, however, we are talking about a war with China then the story changes. No gunship or plopter can fly from the P.I. (soon to be our nearest buddy in the area - again) to the Parcels or Spratly Islands - much less make the round trip. Of course, the -22 can refuel in the air so that is a solid advantage but it will still need some air support during the rescue. In a war with China I doubt there will be very many “feet dry” operations over the PRC (Why bother? Defend in-depth and defeat in detail and let their big army enjoy staying at home) so we will need some kind of long-range at-sea rescue system like a seaplane.
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Lower parts count, cheaper to buy by order(s) of magnitude, cheaper to operate by order(s) of magnitude, longer endurance (8 hrs), greater range, probably lots quieter for ISR portion of mission, super cool amphib variant can land on water.
Sales pitch-y web page
Aircraft Overview - Air Tractor® AT-802U
The AT-802U is the largest single-engine turboprop in the world, with a maximum gross weight of 16,000 pounds and an 8,000 pound (3.629 kg) payload capacity. Since it first flew in 1990 more than 770 AT-802 airframes have been produced in a variety of FAA certificated versions. It brings 8+...
802u.com
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Lower parts count, cheaper to buy by order(s) of magnitude, cheaper to operate by order(s) of magnitude, longer endurance (8 hrs), greater range, probably lots quieter for ISR portion of mission, super cool amphib variant can land on water.
Sales pitch-y web page
Aircraft Overview - Air Tractor® AT-802U
The AT-802U is the largest single-engine turboprop in the world, with a maximum gross weight of 16,000 pounds and an 8,000 pound (3.629 kg) payload capacity. Since it first flew in 1990 more than 770 AT-802 airframes have been produced in a variety of FAA certificated versions. It brings 8+...
I’m still not really convinced of the use case here. You’ve got a whole system of EABs to keep helos and tiltrotors going. You’ll have UAS for long endurance ISR. A slow FW isn’t any more survivable than a helo.
The one thing it brings is slow, long endurance flight. Is it going to do deep air support against the Chinese?
Would it replace HMLA? If it did, you’ve just gapped their huge mission set. Better to wait a few years for a lm FVL replacement.
There’s a much stronger case for a seaplane or ground effect transport to carry resupply. A float equipped C-130 would be a great interim solution
I think a lot of people underestimate the logistics tail any new type brings. You’re either making a big capital expense on depots and I-level or hiring civilians at huge price tags.
Something I didn't realize is that these things are already flying in combat. Success breeds interest. Not surprised that Big Safari has a role either. Interesting article...
Crops and robbers... | Times Aerospace
www.timesaerospace.aero