USAFs new technology - The Sky Warden

[Czechvar]

Finally, a plane I can understand:

Meet America’s New Attack Aircraft; The Sky Warden - Defense News - Military Matters

Meet Americas New Attack Aircraft; The Sky Warden
August 4, 2022
The United States has just awarded a contract for a new attack aircraft, though it might appear a little different from the sort of aeroplanes that the services of that nation’s military generally acquire. On the 1st August, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) confirmed that they chosen the L3 Harris Sky Warden to provide their next generation of air support.

Six aircraft have been ordered as a preproduction batch, with purchase and development costs being $170 million. But the intention is to buy a total of 75 Sky Wardens, at a total fixed cost of $3 billion for the program.
The Sky Warden is based on the Air Tractor AT-802 agricultural aircraft, which is why it has a somewhat unusual look for a military plane. But for the requirement, it does make sense.
The AT-802 is designed to be a tough, working aircraft which can haul a fair amount of weight, be comparatively easy and cheap to maintain, economical to run and with a long loiter time at low levels.
L3 Harris essentially take new build Air Tractors and add a whole bunch of extras to turn the aircraft into the Sky Warden. These include up to eleven hardpoints and store stations, giving the Sky Warden a maximum combat payload of 6,000lbs (2722kgs).

But more important is the electronic suite fitted, which includes laser designators, Infra-red imaging systems plus anti-aircraft missile defences. And in contrast to its rugged and comparatively simple roots, the Sky Warden two-man crew have a cockpit layout that would not be out of place on a modern fighter aircraft, with HOTAS controls and cutting-edge data displays with touch screen integration.

L3 say that the aircraft will be able to stay on station providing support or conducting observation and reconnaissance missions for more than eight hours. All this means that the Sky Warden is capable of both providing targeting information for strike aircraft, liaising with Special Forces teams on the ground and conducting precision targeting strikes of its own accord.
For this the aircraft is capable of carrying and using 70mm rockets, GBU-12 Paveway bombs, Hellfire missiles and the SOPGM series of weapons, comprised primarily of the GBU-39 small diameter bomb and AGM-176 Griffin laser-guided missile.

 

[Rustyt1953]

They got the design from Pixar.

 

[quikdraw67]

If this was April 1st, I'd be questioning things here.

 

[Lee Barner]

I want one. Lee

 

[444 Magnum]

Its a crop duster with guns.

 

[Czechvar]

My first thought was engine power. The Air Tractor version can carry 8000 pounds of Herbicides for Agriculture. The engine in this thing must be phenomenal…Pratt and Whitney 1600 hp…here are the Civilian version Specs:

Aircraft Specifications - Air Tractor(R) AT-802U

I think I love this plane as much as the C130 and the OV10 Bronco.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I'd still tell 'em where to go.

 

[Secundius]

Its a crop duster with guns.

As compared to a Piper Cub with six bazookas attached to it’s wings in 1944…


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[venomballistics]

Its a crop duster with guns.

I hope they aren't anticipating an infestation of bugs big enough to warrant that

 

[LVSteve]

The US armed forces have a long history of weird aircraft. There's a few in this link.

The U.S. Coast Guard May Be Flying a Unique Stealthy Spy Plane

 

[lihpster]

Call sign Sandy.

 

[31FordA]

I always thought the Air Tractor, or even the radial engined Ag Cat, would make a good COIN aircraft. I bet that attack Air Tractor is fun to fly.

The concept is not new. The T-28 Trojan and T-37 Tweet trainers were both converted into attack aircraft. Before WWII Boeing offered a ground attack version of the Stearman trainer, selling a few in South America. In the 1980’s Piper tried to sell the gov’t the Enforcer, a turbo prop COIN aircraft modeled on the Cavalier version P-51 Mustang. I also recall us gifting our Afghan allies an attack version of the Super Tucano trainer.

 

[ameridaddy]

Finally, a plane I can understand:

Meet America’s New Attack Aircraft; The Sky Warden - Defense News - Military Matters

Sounds like a souped up OV-10 Bronco to me, or maybe an A-10

 

[CH4]

Its a crop duster with guns.

Communist ground squirrels are formidable foe who need a good dusting.

 

[Rudi]

I sure hope it works out for them. I'd rather not fly low and slow over the battle area.

 

[swsig]

It's hard to imagine an aircraft manufacturer in tiny, remote Olney, Texas, but there it is.

 

[Cdog]

I have to ask.

Where's it plug in located?