Aircraft & UAVs

AC-208 Combat Caravan

Also known as
  • Cessna AC-208
  • Cessna AC-208 Combat Caravan
  • AC-208B
  • AC-208B Armed Caravan
  • AC-208 Armed Caravan
  • AC-208 Eliminator
  • Combat Caravan
  • Armed Caravan

The AC-208 Combat Caravan is an armed Cessna Caravan conversion that combines a rugged single-engine turboprop airframe with electro-optical surveillance, mission-system operator controls, datalinks, and precision strike. Iraq fielded Hellfire-armed AC-208s during the 2013-2017 war against ISIS, while Afghan Air Force AC-208 Eliminators later provided ISR, strike, and laser-designation support during the final phase of the 2001 War in Afghanistan.

AC-208 Combat Caravan, Armed ISR and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Iraqi Cessna AC-208

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Armed ISR and light attack aircraft
Service note
Iraqi service from 2008; documented combat use from January 2014
Designer
Cessna airframe; ATK/Orbital ATK mission conversion
Designed
Cessna Caravan first flew in 1982; armed AC-208 conversion delivered to Iraq from 2008
Unit cost
2016 DSCA package for two aircraft and support was estimated at $65.3 million
Produced
Cessna 208 family produced from the 1980s; AC-208 conversions followed under U.S. security-assistance programs
Number built
Iraq originally purchased three AC-208 and three C-208 aircraft in 2008, with two additional AC-208 aircraft requested in 2016

Specifications

Crew
Pilot plus mission-system operator or aircrew as configured
Armament
AGM-114 Hellfire missile capability; later AC-208 configurations can integrate 2.75-inch guided rockets
Sensors
Electro-optical/infrared imaging and targeting system; DSCA's 2016 Iraq package listed AN/AAQ-35 EO/IR equipment
Launch equipment
DSCA's 2016 Iraq package listed dual-rail LAU-131 Hellfire launcher capability on each wing
Self-protection equipment
DSCA's 2016 Iraq package listed AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispensers and AN/AAR-60 missile-launch warning equipment
Airframe
Cessna 208 Caravan single-engine, high-wing turboprop with fixed landing gear
Dimensions
Cessna Caravan baseline: 37 ft 7 in length, 52 ft 1 in wingspan, 14 ft 10 in height
Performance
Cessna Caravan baseline: 186 ktas maximum cruise speed, 1,070 nm maximum range, 25,000 ft maximum operating altitude
Powerplant
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A turboprop on the Cessna Caravan baseline
Mission System Fit

The AC-208 package keeps the Caravan's short-field utility-aircraft baseline but turns the aircraft into a small armed ISR platform. Public sources emphasize a sensor-to-shooter fit rather than heavy strike payload.

Airframe

Single-engine Cessna 208 Caravan high-wing turboprop with fixed landing gear and austere-field utility roots.

Mission systems

Electro-optical/infrared sensor, mission-system operator console, tactical communications, video datalinks, and onboard fire-control integration.

Strike fit

Iraq's 2016 package listed dual-rail LAU-131 Hellfire launcher capability on each wing; Northrop Grumman also advertises guided 2.75-inch rocket options for the Eliminator configuration.

Operational niche

The aircraft is best documented as a low-cost armed reconnaissance and close-support platform for counter-insurgency, overwatch, and point-target engagements.

Variants

Public sources use several armed or missionized Caravan designations around the same Cessna 208 baseline; this entry covers the AC-208 Combat Caravan while noting closely related armed and multi-role conversions.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
AC-208B Armed CaravanMissionized armed Caravan conversion

Northrop Grumman's Lebanese Air Force release describes AC-208B Armed Caravan aircraft as converted Cessna Grand Caravans with electro-optical sensors, tactical communications, video datalinks, a mission-system operator console, self-protection equipment, wing hardpoints, and Hellfire precision-strike capability.

Sources: NGC Celebrates Ten Years with Lebanese Air Force

AC-208 EliminatorNorthrop Grumman reconnaissance and ground-attack configuration

Northrop Grumman describes the AC-208 Eliminator as building on the AC-208 Armed Caravan and carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or 2.75-inch guided rockets for reconnaissance, overwatch, and counter-insurgency strike missions.

Sources: Northrop Grumman Special Mission Aircraft

MC-208 GuardianAdjacent multi-role Cessna Caravan derivative

MAG Aerospace presents the MC-208 Guardian as a Cessna Caravan-based multi-role aircraft combining ISR, air mobility, CASEVAC/MEDEVAC, and precision-strike roles, with SEEK EAGLE certification for AGM-114, APKWS, and Hydra 70 stores.

Sources: Special Mission Aircraft Capabilities - MC-208 Guardian

Carried Munitions

Northrop Grumman documents the AC-208 as able to carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and 2.75-inch guided rockets.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyAir-to-surface missile family

Northrop Grumman says the AC-208 Armed Caravan can be configured with an AGM-114 Hellfire missile payload, and U.S. Air Forces Central reported Iraqi crews loading and launching AGM-114 Hellfires from AC-208 aircraft.

Sources: Northrop Grumman Special Mission Aircraft, IqAF edges closer to joint integration after Hellfire missile test, Iraqi Air Force achieves milestone with Hellfire missile shot

APKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, MunitionsAPKWS / WGU-59 guided rocketsGuided rocket munition family

Northrop Grumman says the AC-208 Eliminator can engage targets with 2.75-inch guided rockets as part of its offensive payload.

Sources: Northrop Grumman Special Mission Aircraft

Timeline

AC-208 Combat Caravan Key Events

  1. Iraq buys first AC-208 aircraft

    DSCA later reported that Iraq originally purchased three AC-208 and three C-208 aircraft in 2008.

    Sources: Republic of Iraq - AC-208 Aircraft

  2. Iraqi crews conduct second Hellfire launch

    U.S. Army and DVIDS reporting described an Iraqi Air Force AC-208 firing a Hellfire missile at the Aziziyah Training Range during an Iraqi-run precision-engagement exercise.

    Sources: Iraqi Air Force launches Hellfire missile with precision

  3. Combat debut in Anbar

    DVIDS and contemporary reporting place the AC-208's combat debut in January 2014, when Iraqi crews employed the aircraft against insurgents in Anbar province, including strikes reported around Fallujah and Ramadi.

    Sources: Coalition JTACs raise Air Week off the ground, Iraqi Air Force Combat Caravan planes Bomb Al-Qaeda Bases in Fallujah

  4. Additional Iraq AC-208 package notified

    DSCA notified Congress of a possible $65.3 million Iraq package for two more AC-208 aircraft with Hellfire launchers, EO/IR equipment, self-protection systems, modifications, spares, training, and support.

    Sources: Republic of Iraq - AC-208 Aircraft

  5. Iraqi AC-208 still active at Balad

    A DVIDS image from Air Week at Balad Air Base showed an Iraqi Squadron 3 AC-208 preparing for a close-air-support mission.

    Sources: Coalition JTACs raise Air Week off the ground

Media

AC-208 Combat Caravan Videos

AC-208 Combat Caravan Images

AC-208 Combat Caravan, Armed ISR and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Iraqi Air Force celebrates 78th Anniversary
AC-208 Combat Caravan, Armed ISR and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: Coalition JTACs raise Air Week off the ground
AC-208 Combat Caravan, Armed ISR and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3
Source: Coalition JTACs raise Air Week off the ground
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Sources

Northrop Grumman Special Mission AircraftPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports AC-208 armed Caravan background, manufacturer lineage, reconnaissance and ground-attack role, and Hellfire or guided-rocket payload context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Cessna Caravan SpecificationsPublisher: Textron Aviation | Note: Supports baseline Cessna Caravan airframe dimensions, engine, range, cruise speed, payload, and altitude specifications used for the AC-208 airframe context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Republic of Iraq - AC-208 AircraftPublisher: Defense Security Cooperation Agency | Note: Supports 2013 War in Iraq direct conflict use: AC/C-208 aircraft used by Iraq to support operations against al-Qaeda affiliate and ISIL forces, plus the 2008 Iraqi purchase, 2016 request for additional AC-208 aircraft, listed mission equipment, and Orbital ATK principal-contractor context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iraqi Air Force Combat Caravan planes Bomb Al-Qaeda Bases in FallujahPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Supports 2013 War in Iraq direct conflict use: AC-208 aircraft used by the Iraqi Air Force in January 2014 strikes around Fallujah and Ramadi against ISIS or al-Qaeda-linked militants. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Coalition JTACs raise Air Week off the groundPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary AC-208 photograph and 2013 War in Iraq direct conflict use by noting the aircraft was fielded by the Iraqi Air Force from its January 2014 Anbar combat debut. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iraqi Cessna AC-208Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for an Iraqi AC-208 Combat Caravan assigned to Squadron 3. | Accessed: 2026-07-04IqAF edges closer to joint integration after Hellfire missile testPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports background, Hellfire integration, Iraqi Squadron 3 operation, and public-domain image provenance for AC-208 missile loading and launch imagery. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iraqi Air Force achieves milestone with Hellfire missile shotPublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports AC-208 Hellfire launch reporting and identifies the aircraft as the launch platform. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iraqi Air Force celebrates 78th AnniversaryPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for an Iraqi Air Force static display including an AC208 Combat Caravan. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iraqi Air Force conducts first solo Hellfire missile launchPublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for Iraqi Air Force AC-208 Hellfire loading imagery during March 2011 training. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iraqi Air Force launches Hellfire missile imagePublisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Supports public-domain image provenance for an Iraqi Air Force AC-208 Hellfire launch at Aziziyah Training Range on 2010-11-08. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Iraqi Air Force launches Hellfire missile with precisionPublisher: United States Army | Note: Supports Iraqi AC-208 Hellfire training and integration context, including the November 2010 Iraqi Air Force precision-engagement launch at Aziziyah Training Range. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan - December 2019Publisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Directly supports 2001 War in Afghanistan conflict use: Afghan Air Force AC-208 Eliminators provided ISR and strike capabilities for ANDSF ground and air operations, used APKWS precision rockets, and supported A-29 missions with laser designation after arrival in Kabul in February 2019. | Accessed: 2026-07-04NGC Celebrates Ten Years with Lebanese Air ForcePublisher: ASDNews | Note: Republishes Northrop Grumman release details on AC-208B and RC-208B Lebanese Air Force missionized Caravan variants, sensor fit, datalinks, operator console, self-protection equipment, wing hardpoints, and Hellfire strike capability. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Special Mission Aircraft Capabilities - MC-208 GuardianPublisher: MAG Aerospace | Note: Supports MC-208 Guardian adjacent-variant context, multi-role mission set, hardpoint limits, endurance claim, and SEEK EAGLE certification for APKWS, Hydra 70, and AGM-114 stores. | Accessed: 2026-07-04