Jul 21 2010
The Air Tractor AT-802U, now integrated with new sensor, electronic, and weapon capabilities, is on display at the 2010 Farnborough Air Show.
Designed for military operations, the aircraft made its maiden flight across the Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Farnborough for the air show. Authorized Air Tractor dealer, Combined Air Ventures LLC (CAV), has manufactured the novel agricultural aircraft that costs much lower than its peers in the industry. CAV is an authority in providing low-cost, utility aircraft solutions for coastal and border patrol, counter-insurgency, oil spill clean up, and other applications.
A single-engine firefighting machine, the Air Tractor 802 is the largest aircraft produced for agricultural purposes. Its “U” version, which is on display at the Air Show, delivers military capabilities that were so far available only in machines that were over five times more expensive than the Air Tractor AT-802U.
The AT-802U is custom-built to suit harsh environments such as dirt roads and farm fields. Integrated with a L3 Wescam MX-15Di sensor turret and laser target designator, an 8,000-pound capacity, and a 10-hour time provides access to modern weapons and sensors in remote and challenging locations. Large HD displays with MX-15, a new glass cockpit, real time video linked with ground units via L3 Rover data links are some other features of the Air Tractor AT-802U.
Weapons available on the aircraft include Hellfire missiles, 500- or 1,000-pound laser-guided bombs, laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket pods, and Gatling guns of dual GAU-19 .50 caliber and 2,900 rounds capacity. Over 2500 aircrafts have been sold to about 30 countries across the globe.
Source: http://www.cavaviation.com