Are Light Attack/ISR aircraft

Are Light Attack/ISR aircraft gaining momentum?

By Luca Peruzzi

A long-waited programme for an armed overwatch platform was unveiled last February by the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) with an industry day invitation for a prototype and up to 75 aircraft. © Iomax

The use in recent years of latest generation aircraft in permissive counter-insurgency environments imposed a heavy burden on the western and allied air forces. Since the beginning of the last decade, the US services, namely the US Air Force (USAF), have been looking for, testing and evaluating light attack/ armed reconnaissance platforms under different programmes, the main one being the Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) also known as OA-X, and the more recent Light Attack Experiment (LAE). The USAF has experimented with light attack aircraft based on customized turboprop advanced trainers, crop-dusters and turbofan-equipped platforms to discover alternate, cost-effective options to deliver airpower and build partner capacity around the globe. After a long and protracted programme ending with a reduced scope, the USAF decided in October 2019 to buy two to three Textron Aviation AT-6 Wolverine to be used respectively by the Air Combat Command for continued testing and development of operational tactics and standard for exportable tactical networks that improve interoperability with international partners and the same number of Sierra Nevada Corporation/Embraer Defense & Security A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for the Air Force Special Operations Command to develop an instructor pilot programme and meet increased partner nation requests for light attack assistance. Last February however, also due to Congress pressure, a long-waited requirement for an armed overwatch platform capable to provide the Special Operations Forces (SOF) with a deployable and sustainable manned aircraft system to fulfil Close Air Support (CAS), Precision Strike, and SOF Intelligence/ Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) in austere and permissive environments was unveiled by the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM). In a preliminary stage, the programme to demonstrate an armed overwatch prototype could lead to the procurement of 75 aircraft, opening the way to the participation of multiple manufacturers and system providers, depending on the stillto-be unveiled requirements when this article was written.

Already in service with a dozen customers worldwide for both training and/or operational missions, including homeland and counterinsurgency (COIN), and extensively evaluated by the USAF under the LAAR and LAE programmes, the A-29 Super Tucano was developed by Embraer and currently marketed by both the Brazilian aerospace/defence group and the US Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) company. Aircraft assembly-lines are located in Brazil and the US, in the latter case with customization by SCN. As an EMB-312 Tucano tandem-seats basic trainer aircraft development, the combatproven A-29 turboprop light attack aircraft has a maximum take-off/landing weight of 5,200 kg with an internal fuel storage capacity of 544 kg and a total (including four external tanks) of 1,139 kg. With a 19.4 m 2 wing area, the A-29 is powered by a 1,600 shp P&W Canada PT6A68C Turboprop engine driving a Hartzell fiveblade propeller offering a maximum and cruise speeds of respectively 590 and 520 km/h. With a night-vision goggles (NVG) compatible all-glass cockpit centred on an Elbit Systems avionics suite including a head-up display (HUD), hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) control, three multifunction colour displays (MFCDs), central mission computers, navigation and integrated weapon delivery system, the tandem cockpit is equipped

The A-29 Super Tucano is conducting operational and combat missions on a daily basis in theatres around the world, such as in Afghanistan by the local air force, which has 26 aircraft. © USAF The Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, of which is shown the front cockpit, is in service with 12 air forces, and is to be delivered to the Philippines and Nigerian air forces in addition to USAF selection. © Embraer

with zero-zero ejection seats and onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS). The avionics suite is integrated with an underbelly forward-mounted EO/IR turret such as those developed by FLIR Systems and L3 Harris Wescam with daylight high-definition and long-range cameras, thermal imager, laser designator, illuminator, tracker and rangefinder for surveillance and targeting operations. The armament package includes two wing-mounted 12.7 mm machine guns and four underwing plus one underbelly hardpoints for air-to-surface weapons including Mk 81/82 conventional ordnance, GBU-12/58 Paveway

The Textron Aviation Beechcraft Defense AT-6 Wolverine is to be acquired by the USAF, becoming the first customer of the platform to support experimentation of air-to-ground communications links. © Textron Aviation

laser-guided bombs, BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laserguided 70 mm rockets, 7/19-70 mm unguided rocket launchers and AIM-9 Sidewinder-type short-range air-to-air type weapons. In addition to an armoured cockpit and self-sealing fuel tanks, defensive aids could include missile warning system (MWS) and counter-measures dispensing system (CMDS). Moreover, the A-29’s robust landing gear and clearance enable take-off and landing in austere field conditions. Conducting combat missions on a daily basis in theatres around the world and having logged more than 46,000 combat hours and more than 360,000 total flight hours, the US Military Type Certificate A-29 is currently under acquisition in 12 aircraft by the Nigerian Air Force through US foreign military sales (FMS), with Sierra Nevada Corporation as prime contractor, while Embraer is under contract for the delivery of six aircraft to the Philippines Air Force in 2020.

Based on the Textron Aviation Beechcraft Defense T-6 series turboprop tandem-seat training aircraft in service with 10 international customers among which the US, UK and Canada, the AT-6 Wolverine has been developed to address the light-attack requirements of worldwide customers, performing a wide range of missions including COIN, ISR, air interdiction as well as homeland missions. With a maximum take-off/landing weight of 4,536 kg, an internal fuel capacity of 544 kg and a total

The AT-6 Wolverine, of which is here shown the front cockpit, is equipped with a mission suite including a surveillance and targeting EO/IR turret for light attack/armed reconnaissance operations. © Textron Aviation

internal/external (up to four external fuel tanks) fuel load capacity of 1,319 kg, the AT-6 has a 16.60 m 2 wing area and is powered by a 1,600 shp P&W Canada PT6A-68D turboprop engine driving a Hartzell four-blade propeller offering a maximum speed of 585 km/h. With an NVG compatible all-glass cockpit centred on a FAAcertified CMC Esterline Cockpit 4000 avionics suite and Lockheed Martin combat mission system (as used in the A-10C) with a similar F-16 pilot/aircraft interface, including HUD, HOTAS, three CMFDs, navigation and integrated weapon delivery system, the tandem cockpit is equipped with zero-zero ejection seats and onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS). The avionics suite includes a communications package tailored and compatible with all fielded US Joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) digital voice/data/video capabilities and with their NATO equivalents, and is integrated with an underbelly forwardmounted L3 Harris Wescam MX-15Di EO/IR turret for surveillance and targeting in support of a wide range of precision-guided weapons thanks to seven (six underwing) hardpoints, four of which are MIL-STD 1760 smart weaponcompatible. With a max mission load of 1,864 kg, the armament package includes 12.7 mm gun pods, 70 mm rocket pods, Mk 81/82 conventional and GBU-12/58 Paveway LGBs, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, BAE Systems APKWS, Raytheon/EAI Talon and Northrop Grumman/Elbit Systems GATR laser-guided 70-mm rockets. Survivability

The IOMAX USA company has a proven track record of delivering an off-the-shelf turbo-prop-equipped light attack/ISR aircraft solution on the international market.

is enhanced by defensive aids including MWS and CMDS as shown during LAE programmes, in addition to an armoured cockpit and self-sealing fuel tanks, while evaluation has highlighted easy of operation during austere, unimproved runway assessments. Intensively tested, evaluated and operated by US armed forces, including the USAF, US Air National Guard and US Navy in a wide range of missions, from air-to-ground operations including communications interoperability developments to terminal attack controller trainer, the AT-6 has been finally selected by the USAF waiting for a small-quantity contract in 2020.

The IOMAX USA Archangel platform is based on the Ayres Thrush S2RT-660 crop-duster airframe with a max payload capability of 2,200 kg on seven stations in addition to an EO/IR surveillance/ targeting turret. © IOMAX USA

A tale of two crop-dusters with attack capabilities

Two US-companies’ industrial teams developed and sold a low-cost light-attack/armed reconnaissance version of two widely-used agricultural aircraft, which provides a significant lower procurement and operating solution for austere and permissive environments compared with frontline aircraft such as the F-16 but at a lesser extent also with turboprop attack platforms. With a $1,000 dollar per hour operating costs, these rugged platforms are however not equipped with ejection seats and retractable undercarriage but can be easily maintained on the field.

The IOMAX USA company has a proven track record of delivering an off-the-shelf turbo-propequipped light attack/ISR aircraft solution on the international market. The company modified, tested and delivered 48 aircraft to the UAE of which 24 based on the Air Tractor AT-802 airframe (Border Patrol Aircraft-configured) and 24 on the Archangel platform solution, developed and currently proposed by IOMAX, which utilizes the Ayres Thrush S2RT-660 airframe. Over the past nine years, the UAE, Jordan and Egypt, the two customers to which the UAE has respectively transferred 6 and 12 BPA-configured aircraft,

A collaboration between L3 Harris Technologies and Air Tractor, the AT-802L Longsword solution is based on the low-cost, rugged AT-802U agricultural platform with L3 light strike system suite. © L3 Harris Technologies

employed the IOMAX light attack aircraft in operational and combat missions. IOMAX also supplied a training/support package, including flight simulator, and assisted in the aircraft transfer to Jordanian and Egyptian air forces. With a maximum take-off weight of 6,713 kg and a rugged and versatile airframe allowing to operate from unimproved runways with limited maintenance, the tandem-seat Archangel platform has a maximum external payload capability of 2,200 kg on six wing weapon pylons and a centreline underbelly station for targeting/ ISR pod. Equipped with a P&W Canada PT6-67F 1,700 shp engine with a low audible signature MTV-27 propeller and a 2,500 liters usable fuel load, the platform has a 314 km/h cruise speed with external stores, a service ceiling of 7,600 meters (with oxygen) and a maximum endurance of respectively 8.7 and 4.6 hours in ISR and light attack (with 1,561 kg weapon payload) configurations. The Archangel’s qualified weapons include the Roketsan Cirit 70 mm laser guided rocket (max 48), GBU-58/12 Paveway LGBs (6 or 12) and AGM-114 Hellfire (12) missiles, in addition to the centreline customized targeting/ISR/data link pod providing maximum field of regard. Equipped with an EO/IR turret such as the L3Harris Wescam MX15 (MX25 as option), the latter and the weapon payload are managed by the full NVG compatible glass cockpit with MFCDs and rear-seat with targeting/ ISR main display. The avionics includes the

The AT-802 Longsword’s sensor suite includes the Horizon Technologies XPOD featuring the L3 Wescam MX-15 EO/IR turret and the FlyingFish airborne satellite monitoring system, BAE Systems COBRA multi-function SIGINT/EW sensor pod and the Thales I-Master air-to-ground radar. © L3 Harris Technologies

Esterline CMC Electronics Cockpit 4000 package, communications and the IOMAX armament management system, while both pilots have oxygen for eight hours, cockpit roll cage and ballistic protection. Survivability is also provided by self-sealing fuel tanks and an automated Terma dual pod configuration with MWS, CMDS and EW management system capable to track up to eight simultaneous targets. With wings configured for removal for air deployment (two aircraft on board a single C-17) and the optional capability to embark a Leonardo Osprey 30 AESA radar for ISR missions, the Archangel is attracting strong interest in the Middle-East, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions, in addition to current customers for additional aircraft and upgrading.

A collaboration between L3 Harris Technologies and Air Tractor, the AT-802L Longsword solution is based on the low-cost, rugged and successful 802-series of Air Tractor agricultural platform with FAA and Military Type certificates modified for ISR and light-attack missions thanks to the L3 light strike system suite. The Longsword platform has been extensively tested and evaluated by USAF and USMC personnel during the LAE programme in 2017, evolving it in an enriched configuration with additional ISR equipment shown at Farnborough 2018 and more recently at SFIC 2019 special operation exhibition. The Longsword is equipped with a certified, tandem state-of-theart glass cockpit with dual controls featuring a

Garmin G600 system with two primary MFDs, 3-D autopilot and a large situational/targeting display in the rear-cockpit, Thales Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display, communications suite with datalink and Full Movie Video and the L3 ForceX Widow mission management for multiple sensors. These encompass the Horizon Technologies XPOD embodying different sensors including the L3 Wescam MX-15 EO/IR turret and the FlyingFish airborne satellite monitoring system, BAE Systems COBRA multi-function SIGINT/EW sensor pod and the Thales I-Master radar featuring moving target indicator and coherent change detection capabilities. While the latter is installed in an underbelly retractable station, both pods are transported on the eight underwings carriages. With a maximum gross take-off/landing weight of 7,257 kg and over 2.5+ million flight hours logged primarily in rugged, austere environments in addition to military operations, the Longsword platform has a useful load with ballistic armour of 4,000 kg including fuel and external payload. Equipped with a P&W PT6A-67F 1,600 shp engine with a Hartzell propeller and a 2,801 liters usable fuel payload, the Longsword has a 394 km/h maximum (333 km/h patrolling) speed and five hours onstation endurance at 400 nautical miles from departing base in an ISR configuration. Carried on eight underwings (with the innermost wing station optimized for guns) and two centrelines pylons, the external payload includes Hellfire

On November 2019, the UAE aerospace company Calidus was awarded a $618 million contract by the national defence ministry for supplying 20 Bader-250 (B-250) light attack and advanced trainer aircraft to the UAE Air Force. © Paolo Valpolini

missiles and laser guided rockets (Hydra 70/ Talon, Cirit), guided GBU-58/12 and conventional Mk 82 bombs, GAU-19A, M-134, FN-HMP/RMP gun pods. In addition to an armoured cockpit and self-sealing fuel tanks, survivability is ensured by defensive aids including AAR-47 MWR and ALE47 CMDS.

New kids on the block

On November 2019, the United Arab Emirates company Calidus was awarded a $618 million contract by the national defence ministry for the supply of 20 Bader-250 (B-250) light attack and advanced trainer aircraft for the UAE Air Force. Launching the Gulf country into the ranks of the world’s manufacturers of manned military aircraft, the B-250 design originated in Brazil by the startup Novaer, which built the first two prototype aircraft in 2017 for Calidus. A UAE Defence Technology Development and Manufacturing company, the latter has established a new plant in Al Ain to build B-250s, where the production tooling have been transferred from Brazil. Resembling in the exterior dimensions the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, the 4,500 kg B-250 differs for an all-carbon fibre airframe which reduces weight and enhances performances while extending service life. Equipped with a retractable tricycle landing reinforced gear for unprepared runway operations, the B-250 is powered by a P&W Canada 1,600 shp PT6A-68 turboprop with a Hartzell four-blade propeller offering a maximum speed of 648 km/h while maximum endurance with external fuel tanks reaches 12 hours. The prototype aircraft is equipped with a Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion cockpit avionics suite including HUD, HOTAS and large MFCD as well as weapon and sensor management in addition to advanced communications. The tandem cockpit is fitted with zero-zero ejection seats as well as OBOGS and can be fitted with add-on ballistic protection. The B-250 is capable to carry a maximum payload of 1,796 kg which can find accommodation on six underwing and one underbelly hardpoints in addition to a centreline forward installed EO/IR turret for both surveillance and targeting of a wide range of guided weapons including UAE-produced systems. The timeline for military certification of the production version which could present a different avionics suite has not however been released.

system as well as weapon systems including the Roketsan long-range UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles, which will side Roketsan Cirit laser guided rockets, Tubitak HGK-3 GPS/INS-guided and KGK-82 long-range guided weapons, in addition to laser-guided bombs. The Hürkuş-C is currently planned to be built in 12 aircraft (with 12 options) for the Turkish MoD.

Under development within the framework of the Turkish Aerospace Industries’ Hürkuş domestic basic and primary training aircraft, which first deliveries of Hürkuş-B version to the Turkish Air Force began in late December 2018, the Hürkuş-C is a light armed reconnaissance version capable to undertake light attack and armed reconnaissance missions as well as carrying out pilot training requirements thanks to a night vision compatible/glass cockpit and advanced avionics systems, ballistic and self-protection in addition to weapon systems, all provided by Turkish industries. With a capability to carry up to 1,500 kg of external loads on six underwing hardpoints in addition to an under-fuselage EO/IR turret for surveillance and targeting duties, the Hürkuş-C will be equipped with digital secure communications, video and data link for information exchange with land forces. Launched in November 2016 with a prototype rolled out in February 2017, the Hürkuş-C has already completed flight firing testing with the self-protection In South Africa, the development of the Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) was given a new lease of life in October 2019, when the Paramount Group announced the approval of a business rescue plan for the securing of the programme and its manufacturing facility at Wonderboom National Airport near Pretoria, ensuring the resumption of sales, marketing and manufacturing operations. Developed as a two-seater reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft with an armed variant called Mwari, the new rugged platform features a pusher propeller configuration with high-mounted wings, high-raising tandem cockpit, twin tail booms and retractable undercarriage for operations from unprepared strips with limited support. With a maximum take-off weight of 4,440 kg and a 1,700 shp P&W Canada PT6-67F with Hartzell propeller, the AHRLAC can reach a maximum speed of over 500 km/h and a max endurance of 6.5 hours (10.5 hours for deployments). The aircraft is characterized by an underbelly payload compartment capable to accommodate a pod with up to 800 kg of various equipment including sensors. The fully NVG compatible tandem cockpit is equipped with HOTAS, MFCDs and a mission optimized rear-station with a 21’ display. The platform can be equipped with six underwing hardpoints for weapon systems, in addition to the pod. The AHRLAC has been flying with a Leonardo AESA Osprey 30 radar in a two side-antennas configuration. Two aircraft including a prototype and a production-representative platform are already flying but no information have been released on programme completion. The Calidus B-250 procurement contract launched the UAE country into the ranks of the world’s manufacturers of manned military aircraft. © Calidus

Launched in November 2016 with a prototype rolled out in February 2017, the TAI Hürkuş-C light armed reconnaissance version of the Hürku basic/primary aircraft is currently planned to be built in 12 aircraft (with 12 options) for the Turkish MoD. © TAI