Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
JayinKitsap wrote:It seems Sky Tractor came out of the blue on this one, at least for me, It is stout competition, 6,000 LB payload with the armor and mods in the empty weight. A lot for a single engine Some other links
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/socom-s ... h-program/
https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press ... ocom-armed
https://engage.l3harris.com/sky-warden
https://802u.com/aircraft-specifications/
Another version of the aircraft is for Fire,https://at802f.com/seat-operations/initial-attack-firefighter/
MohawkWeekend wrote:Wouldn't drones be a better investment?
Imagine a quiet drone that could carry a couple of 82 mm mortar rounds.
Spacepope wrote:JayinKitsap wrote:It seems Sky Tractor came out of the blue on this one, at least for me, It is stout competition, 6,000 LB payload with the armor and mods in the empty weight. A lot for a single engine Some other links
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/socom-s ... h-program/
https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press ... ocom-armed
https://engage.l3harris.com/sky-warden
https://802u.com/aircraft-specifications/
Another version of the aircraft is for Fire,https://at802f.com/seat-operations/initial-attack-firefighter/
I'm not sure where you came up with regarding "out of the blue", they've been using AT-800 series CAS aircraft in the ME quite sucessfully for the past few years. Sems to be a pretty proven aircraft, and looking at what it's replacing, a bit more heavily armed than the PC-12.
MohawkWeekend wrote:Wouldn't drones be a better investment?
Imagine a quiet drone that could carry a couple of 82 mm mortar rounds.
Spacepope wrote:JayinKitsap wrote:It seems Sky Tractor came out of the blue on this one, at least for me, It is stout competition, 6,000 LB payload with the armor and mods in the empty weight. A lot for a single engine Some other links
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/socom-s ... h-program/
https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press ... ocom-armed
https://engage.l3harris.com/sky-warden
https://802u.com/aircraft-specifications/
Another version of the aircraft is for Fire,https://at802f.com/seat-operations/initial-attack-firefighter/
I'm not sure where you came up with regarding "out of the blue", they've been using AT-800 series CAS aircraft in the ME quite sucessfully for the past few years. Sems to be a pretty proven aircraft, and looking at what it's replacing, a bit more heavily armed than the PC-12.
JayinKitsap wrote:Spacepope wrote:JayinKitsap wrote:It seems Sky Tractor came out of the blue on this one, at least for me, It is stout competition, 6,000 LB payload with the armor and mods in the empty weight. A lot for a single engine Some other links
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/socom-s ... h-program/
https://www.l3harris.com/newsroom/press ... ocom-armed
https://engage.l3harris.com/sky-warden
https://802u.com/aircraft-specifications/
Another version of the aircraft is for Fire,https://at802f.com/seat-operations/initial-attack-firefighter/
I'm not sure where you came up with regarding "out of the blue", they've been using AT-800 series CAS aircraft in the ME quite sucessfully for the past few years. Sems to be a pretty proven aircraft, and looking at what it's replacing, a bit more heavily armed than the PC-12.
Past articles going back a few years, like The War Zone seemed to indicate that the Bronco II and the Textron Aviation Defense AT-6E Wolverine were the favored contenders including those two going thru a major demonstration evaluation by SOCOM. Or some reporters are supported by certain companies, as we know happens a lot.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/m ... ch-mission
CX747 wrote:JayinKitsap wrote:Spacepope wrote:
I'm not sure where you came up with regarding "out of the blue", they've been using AT-800 series CAS aircraft in the ME quite sucessfully for the past few years. Sems to be a pretty proven aircraft, and looking at what it's replacing, a bit more heavily armed than the PC-12.
Past articles going back a few years, like The War Zone seemed to indicate that the Bronco II and the Textron Aviation Defense AT-6E Wolverine were the favored contenders including those two going thru a major demonstration evaluation by SOCOM. Or some reporters are supported by certain companies, as we know happens a lot.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/m ... ch-mission
I can understand that viewpoint. The T-6 is a good aircraft but for this set of requirements, it actually failed in certain areas. As for the Bronco II, it had an uphill battle in a multitude of arenas. The AT-800 series, in the manner put forward by L3Harris, is truly a next "level" offering that combines a whole bunch of wants, in 1 package, that really delivers.
JayinKitsap wrote:CX747 wrote:JayinKitsap wrote:
Past articles going back a few years, like The War Zone seemed to indicate that the Bronco II and the Textron Aviation Defense AT-6E Wolverine were the favored contenders including those two going thru a major demonstration evaluation by SOCOM. Or some reporters are supported by certain companies, as we know happens a lot.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/m ... ch-mission
I can understand that viewpoint. The T-6 is a good aircraft but for this set of requirements, it actually failed in certain areas. As for the Bronco II, it had an uphill battle in a multitude of arenas. The AT-800 series, in the manner put forward by L3Harris, is truly a next "level" offering that combines a whole bunch of wants, in 1 package, that really delivers.
Yes, a plane that has OK speed that is quite maneuverable, diving down to the deck to spray crops, rise quick over the wind rows with a useful load on a single engine of 8,100 pounds (after armor) and a fuel use of 71 gallon per hour. Further, a cost per hour in the hundreds, not $ 5,000 + per hour. L3 put together a package that is quite effective without a lot of fanfare. However the evaluators were probably thinking this was the right craft from early on in the competition. The proposed cost was probably the lowest also.
kitplane01 wrote:Next ... folding wings! Just a few on a carrier to save the F18s and 'hawks from doing missions that don't need their capabilities. The "Someone go look at that ship and see what it is" stuff.
aumaverick wrote:When was the last time a tail dragger was launched from a US carrier? Would a tail dragger even be EMALs qualified?
IFlyVeryLittle wrote:...I get 'austere" but what is a permissive environment?
MohawkWeekend wrote:A-1 Skyraiders during Vietnam. Probably doesnt need a cat for takeoff.
Actually not a bad idea for a carrier to have a few of them. Think about Iran's speedboats and pirates. Plus search and rescue.
MohawkWeekend wrote:No SAMs
superbizzy73 wrote:Still don't understand why the OV-10X wasn't even considered. Two engines, two crew, all set for ISR, Armed SAR, etc., able to operate from almost anywhere, it actually has cargo capacity...one could go on and on. Money definitely wasn't the issue.
In a rather unexpected move, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has chosen L3Harris Technologies and Air Tractor, Inc.’s AT-802U Sky Warden system, which is based on an agricultural taildragger aircraft
aumaverick wrote:kitplane01 wrote:Next ... folding wings! Just a few on a carrier to save the F18s and 'hawks from doing missions that don't need their capabilities. The "Someone go look at that ship and see what it is" stuff.
When was the last time a tail dragger was launched from a US carrier? Would a tail dragger even be EMALs qualified?
TWA772LR wrote:aumaverick wrote:kitplane01 wrote:Next ... folding wings! Just a few on a carrier to save the F18s and 'hawks from doing missions that don't need their capabilities. The "Someone go look at that ship and see what it is" stuff.
When was the last time a tail dragger was launched from a US carrier? Would a tail dragger even be EMALs qualified?
It wouldn't need a catapult and probably not even a tailhook lol.