AT802: The Versatile Aircraft for Many Different Missions and Operations

If you live in the Great Plains or anywhere in the Midwest for that matter, the buzz of turbines and flash of yellow paint at very low levels is an everyday sight from about March through September. These elusive targets are almost always a product of the Air Tractor Corporation. Based in humble and quiet Olney, Texas, somewhere between Abilene and Wichita Falls. 

Specializing in aerial application aircraft (i.e., crop dusters), Air Tractor has a remarkable history that has seen one idea branched out and perfected to support industries and missions far beyond aerial application of crops. 

Let’s take a look at this fantastic company and their flagship aircraft, the AT-802. 

Air Tractor Development and History

The history of Air Tractor is a fascinating one, and it has a great plot twist: Air Tractor’s main competitor, Thrush, was also a product of the same man! 

The Air Tractor was developed by Leland Snow in 1972 with a vision to create reliable, efficient, and specialized planes for the agricultural sector. Snow began designing crop dusters (what would eventually be Air Tractor aircraft) all the way back in 1951. His first aircraft was named the S-1, and a youthful Snow completed test flights in 1953. This was under the brand name of Snow Aeronautics, and the aircraft were built in familiar Olney. 

His follow-on aircraft were named the S-2A, S-2B, and S-2C, which are familiar aircraft to those in the aerial application community since they became the Ayres Thrush. Snow ended up selling the company to Rockwell-Standard in 1965 and he was then moved over to Rockwell’s successful Aero Commander project. At the time, Rockwell-Standard owned the Thrush project and was producing the aircraft line in Olney. This was short-lived and production of Thrush aircraft moved to Georgia in 1970.

It was around this time that Leland Snow left Rockwell and went back to the drawing board to create the most iconic crop dusters ever made: the AT-300, a round-engine bruiser that would be produced as the AT-301.  

Over the decades, Air Tractor became a household name in the agriculture community, producing predominantly turbine-powered aircraft.

The AT-802 was developed in the 1990s to handle larger payloads and cover more extensive areas, and it became apparent after years of successful service that the AT-802 could do more than just crops. It became a go-to fire boss and is even now an ISR strike aircraft. 

Air Tractor AT-802 Specifications

The AT-802 is a large single-engine turbine aircraft, giving plenty of payload for fire fighting and even combat service. 

  • The AT-802 has a payload capacity of 9,000 pounds (4,100 kg) and can carry a range of weapons, including rockets and guided bombs.
  • The AT-802U Sky Warden has a military designation of OA-1K and is intended for use in special operations forces, performing armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions at low cost in permissive environments.

While the standard AT-802 has a single seat cockpit, the fire crews usually request two-seat variants for spotting. Also, amphibious floats are a common addition making this a versatile solution for a firefighting arsenal. 

Military Adaptations of the Air Tractor Aircraft

The AT-802 is also an ideal platform for evolving security environments, offering both ISR and light CAS. The Sky Warden is a versatile solution that is not only saving money (it is much more cost effective than anything else in the CAS fleet), but can also operate out of austere locations.  

The Air Tractor has been used by military forces worldwide, including the United States Air Force (USAF) for light attack and reconnaissance missions.

The AT-802U is a militarized version of the aircraft used for light attack and reconnaissance missions, equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems. Coined the OA-1K, there are many missions that the Sky Warden can handle that are not really in the wheelhouse of other aircraft. And again, even if other aircraft like the A-10, F-16, F-15E or F-35 can do them does not mean they are the best platform. 

Civilian and Military Users

The Air Tractor AT-802 is a versatile aircraft used by both civilian and military users for agricultural operations, firefighting, and military operations. This trifecta blurs the lines of the primary role of the AT-802. Why pigeonhole this design when it is so good for many missions beyond spraying crops? 

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The AT-802 is also used for aerial firefighting and wildfire management, and scoops water from nearby lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Not all versions of the AT-802F are amphibious, and it wouldn’t work in all situations anyway. Some areas are not equipped with enough reservoirs for a water scooper, so 

Air Tractor AT-802 Operators

The Air Tractor AT-802 has been used by various military and commercial operators worldwide, including the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The U.S. Air Force is the first U.S. military service to adopt the OA-1K, which will be stationed out of Hurlburt Field in Florida, although the schoolhouse will be hosted by the 137th Special Operations Wing at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City. 

The aircraft is used for agricultural operations, firefighting, and military operations, with a wide range of users, including government agencies and private companies. The AT-802 is a widely used aircraft in the aviation industry, with a reputation for reliability and durability. This is not to take away from any of the rest of the Air Tractor line of aircraft; they are all robust and excellent machines. The 802 just happens to be the largest and fastest of them, making it the best option for light ISR and attack. 

Sustainment of the AT-802

Greenwood Aerospace offers aircraft sustainment services for the Air Tractor AT-802, including spare parts logistics for our military partners. We will also set service contracts for government and military users of the AT-802. We are committed to meeting and exceeding your expectations, with a focus on providing cost-effective solutions.

Air Tractor as an ISR Aircraft

The Air Tractor is used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, equipped with advanced sensors and communication systems. This marks a great transition for the aircraft from a single-use light attack platform. The AT-802 canto loiter on location with the payload to carry an advanced surveillance suite of electronics. 

The aircraft is used for armed ISR missions, with the ability to gather and transmit intelligence in real-time. Also, because of its fixed gear and hershey-bar wing designed for low speed and high lift, the AT-802 is the ideal fixed-wing asset to escort helicopters. 

Greenwood Aerospace is Committed to AT-802 Sustainment

The AT-802U is a remarkable blend of old-school leathery toughness, modern intelligence, and recon electronic suite. The AT802U provides an incredible eight hours of endurance, where the AT-802U can collect information, deliver information, and then be tasked with a strike task. The AT802 costs 1/18th the hourly cost of an F-16 with 2 ½ times the endurance. 

Three hundred hours of ISR work in a Viper will run nearly five and a half million dollars instead of only $300,000 in the AT-802. But even more impressive is the fact that AT802s can be acquired 5:1 over a Viper. Put up against twin-engine turboprops, the AT-802 is still much cheaper, has several hours more endurance, AND offers strike capability, which the twin turboprops cannot match. 

Greenwood Aerospace is your #1 choice for AT-802 sustainment. We are a renowned leader in the supply and procurement of OEM and aftermarket parts, along with aircraft ground support, kitting and logistics services, foreign military sales program support, and with MIL-SPEC packaging. 

Greenwood Aerospace is the preferred partner of the largest Defense Contractors, Armed Forces, and Government Agencies in the United States.renowned leader in the supply and procurement of OEM and aftermarket parts, along with aircraft ground support, kitting and logistics services, foreign military sales program support, and with MIL-SPEC packaging. 

Greenwood Aerospace is the preferred partner of the largest Defense Contractors, Armed Forces, and Government Agencies in the United States.

Have a large list of parts you need quoted? Send the list to us at sales@governmentprocurement.com.