Just when you thought South Georgia only crop dusted peanuts and cotton...hmmm Pretty awesome little plane that is armed to the teeth and then some.....can land and take off from just about anywhere. Electronics are as good as it gets.....second seat is a full time weapons position with every imaging system available on-board....... Look at the shield badge and you'll see something really cool....it is an angel, as in "archangel". Image Unavailable, Please Login
Armed to the teeth and sitting in a hay field? I don't know much about markings hence can make no sense of what I see .. CIA? or?.. Sorry in advance if it's all so obvious to others here..
More likely its to demonstrate its ability to operate from unimproved surfaces as basic as agricultural fields. It's really a pretty awesome concept in my opinion. A simple low cost ground attack aircraft that can be used in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and North Africa against the relatively low tech forces in those areas.
Piper AT-802U - "In response to the United States Air Force's LAAR program and the growing requirement for light counter-insurgency aircraft, Air Tractor developed an armed model, the AT-802U, in 2008, with engine and cockpit armor, a bulletproof windscreen, self-sealing fuel tanks, and structural reinforcements for the carriage of 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) of payload. A reinforced wing spar was certified for 12,000 hours of flight time, and the AT-802U was displayed in 2009 at the Paris Air Show. The AT-802 has also been used in counter-drug operations in the USSOUTHCOM AOR by the U.S. Department of State as a delivery vehicle for herbicides and defoliants over narcotics production facilities". Think A-10 Warthog light (and a lot slower). A sitting duck around faster aircraft. Below is a prototype. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I agree. That things looks absolutely evil and desired! Put 400 of those in the Middle east areas of conflict in the hands of some imaginative pilots and I'll bet that they would have a positive impact. These along with a bunch of A-10's would have the desired effect on ISIS. Those two airplanes make me wish that I was young and stupid again. I'm old and stupid now and that isn't the preferred combination but, damn, that would be fun!
Another type with similar mission, this Piper PA-48 Enforcer which is based on a P-51 but with turbine and weapons pylons installed. A much better and faster package. These need to be tested on the butchers in ISIS. Piper PA-48 Enforcer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Image Unavailable, Please Login
I bet that would depend a lot on the scenario.... Up high its a sitting duck but down in the weeds I bet it goes so slow and low and will turn circles so tight that a fighter could have a very tough time. In any case its not as if any of our recent opponents have had much in the way of air superiority. A bunch of friends were the ones who flew a formation of C-130s into Syria without escort to airdrop stuff back in October. In the current battle against ISIS this thing would be just the thing as you are saying.
Isn't that an Air Tractor? Not a Piper. Does Piper even still make ag aircraft? They used to make the Pawnee, which looks sort of similar, but they haven't made those in a long time. Air Tractor is still going strong, however. This is from Air Tractor's website: http://www.802u.com/
See http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/aviatorchat-com/246143-crop-duster-%3D%3D-weapons-platform.html I've been casually following it. They've sold a double handful to various countries in the Middle East, including Jordan, Yemen and the UAE. So they may indeed soon be/maybe are chasing ISIS Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yes, agreed. Our own A-10 might be able to mess one up but yes, the AT would be great at low level in dunes and draws.
Going that slowly, it would look like a strafing target. Or an AIM-9 would love it. Lots of weapons in those photos. AGM-114s, GBU-12s, all kinds of stuff.
When ISIS has air superiority, maybe that will be an issue. Let us know when they get their MiG-29s and SU-27s up and running in any sort of numbers. Until then, I think this thing would work pretty well. Not as well as an A-10, but much cheaper!
Since you mentioned the ISIS, why is the world sitting back like it is 1938 all over again and not doing enough to stop these people executing, apparently now stealing human organs, taking women hostage and using them as sex slaves to be sold off by the thousands? Including Boko Haram. If ever there seriously was a time for WW3 it is now. Lets get on with it and sort this planet out again. Come on United USELESS Nations! Pete
I'm old enough to remember Hitler when he was getting away with his crimes while everybody was wringing their hands and talking instead of going after him. The same thing is happening now. Thinking, talking, and just letting the bad guys get away with murder...mass murder and atrocities. Massive action is needed now by everyone.
What can we do as a mere citizen to get our political people to take action? It is way out of control and if we don't seriously act very soon it is just going to be N times harder and longer to resolve. Pete
The plane is actually made up the road and we do the fuselage,landing gear,motor mount, and a bunch of other components. It is a THRUSH ArchAngel. The weapons systems are very similar to an F16/F22.....the electronics,imaging systems,and radar/laser are unbelievable...it is a 2 seater with the rear seat dedicated to targeting and weapons delivery. This little turbo prop can be your worst nightmare if your the enemey.
make better choices at election time... educate those around us, many of those voting now don't have a clue
