FARNBOROUGH: Air Tractor sells anti-insurgent fighter to first customer

Flight Daily News ^ | 23/07/10 | Stephen Trimble

[sukhoi-30mki]

[agere_contra]

that is called the "border protection weapon" (BPW)

Oh hey I just thought of a use for it.

[ReformedBeckite]

I would think they would do pretty good in the mountain regions, by being able to get right into those tight valleys sneak up on those rag heads and then pull up as they launch those missiles right down the entrances to those hard to get to caves.

[CTyank]

“Gee, I wish we had one of them AT-802U’s.” — Gen. “Buck” Turgidson, Ret.

Any plane with 2 x 50 cal gatling guns and ‘Tractor’ in it’s name is beyond cool. Makes spraying the bugs take on a whole new meaning. I want one!

Low maintenance, mechanically robust - a poor man’s Warthog.

[RhoTheta]

“Poor Man’s Warthog” ping.

[RightOnline]

Low, slow, ass in the weeds, long loiter time, ability to pound bad guys for a long time......love it. Looks like it’d be a blast to fly, too.

I want one.

BTW.....another perfect use for such an aircraft: Forward Air Controller (FAC) missions. Absolutely perfect.

[onona]

Air Tractor Name Ping ! A chicken in every pot, and an Air Tractor in every garage. Would give open carry a brand new meaning.

[onona]

HUGE loiter time. Set up a couple of spots on the outer hard points and voila ! You could cover the Mexican border from 10:00pm - 6:00am

[Justa]

Looks to use a liquid cooled engine. I wonder what type of armoring they use for the engine area? Surely they’re aware of liabilities faced by the P-51 when used for ground attack.

[PilotDave]

It’s a Pratt Whitney PT6 turbine. Basically a little jet engine that turns the prop through a gearbox.

[RightOnline]

Yep.....and, if needed, no doubt it could “run home to mama” and double as a crop duster, as well. I mean, a crop duster with mega-guns? What’s not to love??

[SW6906]

How can something be so fugly yet so beautiful at the same time? ;o)

[onona]

Let’s make those wings foldable and throw a dozen on our carriers too.

[RightOnline]

Not bad.........makes one wonder if it’d even need the catapult to launch...???...or need a tailhook to land.

[Brett66]

The MX-15Di imagery can be viewed in the back seat on a 17in display, while the pilot has a 6in screen.

Just like a video game! These things sound like they might be cheap to buy too.

[GBA]

Might have to have the capt slow down so it can catch up to land.

[Chode]

Air Tractor, i love it... i guess Bomb Truck was already taken

[Chode]

just the hook...

[usmcobra]

Yeap I believe bomb truck was used by another aircraft.....

[Chode]

roger that... SPADS Forever!!!