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Egypt in talks with IOMAX for Archangel
The Egyptian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is negotiating with IOMAX for Archangel aircraft.
IHS Jane’s reports that IOMAX began high-level talks with the Egyptian MoD for upgrading its 12 IOMAX AT-802s (which were gifted to Cairo by the United Arab Emirates) and 10 additional aircraft, specifically the Archangel Block-2 Border Patrol Aircraft (BPA).
As per IOMAX, Air Tractor and L3 were working to get the U.S. government to direct Egypt towards the AT-802L, a similar lightweight attack system (using the same platform as earlier Archangel attackers).
IOMAX told IHS Jane’s that “Air Tractor and L3 have been misrepresenting their product in Egypt, but luckily [IOMAX] found this out before it had gone through the [U.S. State Department].” IOMAX is now finalizing its Archangel talks with Cairo.
IOMAX says this has been a recurring issue, citing the U.S. $418 million sale of AT-802Ls to Kenya as an example of that misrepresentation. In fact, IOMAX believes that Kenya is overpaying for the AT-802L as it had offered to secure and weaponize aircraft under the Archangel program for $281 million.
Although IOMAX had used the Air Tractor AT-802 as the base platform for the Archangel, it has switched to the Thrush S2R-660 powered by the ubiquitous Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop. The tandem two-seat aircraft has seven hardpoints (six under wings and one centerline), up to 10 hours of endurance (in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mode) and payload of over 1,300 kg.
The Archangel has been qualified to use GBU-12/58 laser-guided bombs, AGM-114 Hellfire II anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) as well as Roketsan Cirit laser-guided rockets and UMTAS ATGM. It can also deploy lightweight munitions (e.g. GBU-58, Hellfire-II and UMTAS) with dual ejector racks.
Notes & Comments:
As with other turboprop-powered attack aircraft users, Egypt will likely use the IOMAX Archangel as part of its counterinsurgency (COIN) close air support (CAS) missions. Like the A-29 Super Tucano and others, the promise of the Archangel rests in its lower flight costs in comparison to fast jets such as the F-16. In low anti-air warfare (AAW) threat environments where multi-role fighters are not necessary, the IOMAX Archangel can be utilized to deploy precision-guided bombs, rockets and missiles at non-state militants, especially low-value vehicles and installations.
5 Comments
by Aamir
Great choice for a prop attack aircraft; it has excellent weapons load capacity, with a robust sensor package. 7 hard points, 10+ hour endurance, the cockpit is fairly well armored and offers good protection to both pilots.
by Shaheer Anjum
Why isn’t a weaponised and uparmoroured super mushak on the table?
by ahmria
I really think Pakistan should buy a squadron of these aircraft for COIN operations as it will save our fast jet assets from wearing out through heavy use in COIN operations when these aircraft are cheaper to operate and have a longer loiter time over areas of interest.
by Safwat Wabbr
Put in into slowflight in a strong headwind, and it will most likely hover….;)
by Aamir
Probably because it is very limited in its load carrying capacity. The reason why the Air Tractor AT-802 can be upgraded with armor etc because of its crop dusting back ground, it had fairly large tanks to carry pesticides, about 3000 + liters. The engine is produces a massive 1350 hp, the Mushak has a 200 hp engine.