Aircraft & UAVs

Air Tractor AT-802

Also known as
  • AT-802A
  • AT-802F
  • AT-802F Fire Boss
  • Fire Boss
  • AT-802U
  • AT-802L Longsword

The Air Tractor AT-802 is a high-capacity American single-engine turboprop family spanning agricultural, firefighting, and armed derivatives. Its AT-802U and Longsword branches adapted the rugged crop-duster airframe for ISR, light strike, and austere-field operations, including documented use in Yemen, Libya, and Egypt's Sinai campaign.

Air Tractor AT-802, Agricultural and armed multi-mission turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Air tractor AT-802U arrive to Hurlburt Field 01.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
Air Tractor
Type
Agricultural and armed multi-mission turboprop aircraft
Service note
1990-present
Designed
1989-1992
Produced
1993-present
Number built
At least 1,000 AT-802-series aircraft by January 2023
Developed into
AT-802U; AT-802L Longsword; OA-1K Skyraider II

Specifications

AT-802A engine
Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65AG turboprop, 1,295 shp
AT-802A hopper capacity
800 US gal (3,028 L)
AT-802A useful load
9,249 lb (4,195 kg)
AT-802A takeoff weight
16,000 lb (7,257 kg)
AT-802F hopper capacity
820 US gal (3,104 L)
AT-802U engine
Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop, 1,600 shp
AT-802U gross weight
16,000 lb (7,257 kg)
AT-802U useful load with ballistic armor
8,164 lb (4,000 kg)
AT-802U range with auxiliary fuselage fuel
1,303 nm (2,414 km)
AT-802U hardpoints
8 wing hardpoints for 500 lb-class weapons and 2 centerline hardpoints for 1,000 lb-class weapons
AT-802 Family Variants

Air Tractor's public material frames the AT-802 as a large single-engine aircraft family that moved from agricultural and firefighting work into armed ISR and strike derivatives.

Agricultural baseline

The AT-802A combines an 800 US gal hopper with a 16,000 lb takeoff weight for high-capacity aerial application work.

Firefighting branch

The AT-802F and Fire Boss versions use the same high-capacity airframe for land-based airtanker and amphibious scooping missions.

Armed branch

The AT-802U and Longsword derivatives add armor, surveillance systems, weapons hardpoints, and austere-field utility for light attack and ISR roles.

Variants

The AT-802 family began as large-capacity agricultural and firefighting aircraft and later produced armed ISR and strike derivatives, including the AT-802U, L3 AT-802L Longsword, and the L3Harris/Air Tractor Sky Warden configuration designated OA-1K Skyraider II in U.S. Air Force service.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
AT-802ASingle-seat agricultural aircraft

Air Tractor lists the AT-802A with an 800 US gal hopper, 9,249 lb useful load, and 16,000 lb takeoff weight.

Sources: AT-802A - Air Tractor

AT-802FSingle-engine airtanker

The firefighting model uses the AT-802 airframe for retardant work and is listed with a 16,000 lb land takeoff weight and an 820 US gal hopper capacity.

Sources: Specifications & Performance - Air Tractor AT-802F

AT-802F Fire BossAmphibious firefighting scooper

Float-equipped Fire Boss aircraft are the amphibious firefighting branch of the AT-802F family, able to scoop water from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.

Sources: Amphibious or Land-Based Air Tankers

AT-802UArmed multi-mission aircraft

Air Tractor lists the AT-802U with a PT6A-67F engine, armor, self-sealing fuel system, eight wing hardpoints, and two centerline hardpoints.

Sources: Aircraft Specifications - Air Tractor AT-802U

AT-802L LongswordL3-integrated ISR and light-strike configuration

Air Tractor and L3 announced the AT-802L Longsword for the OA-X assessment, with L3 integration of a glass cockpit, Wescam MX-15 EO/IR sensor, ForceX mission system, and weapons carriage.

Sources: Air Tractor AT-802-L Longsword Enters OA-X Capability Assessment

OA-1K Skyraider II, Crewed light attack and armed overwatch aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsOA-1K Skyraider IIU.S. Sky Warden armed-overwatch configuration

L3Harris describes Sky Raider II International as built on the AT-802U platform, while Air Tractor says USSOCOM selected the L3Harris/Air Tractor AT-802U Sky Warden system for Armed Overwatch.

Sources: SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL, Sky Warden Team Selected for USSOCOM Armed Overwatch Contract

Carried Munitions

Air Tractor and L3Harris describe the AT-802U as a hardpoint-equipped strike aircraft that can carry missiles, rockets, and guided bombs.

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

Air Tractor says the AT-802U can be fitted with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and Air & Space Forces says Sky Warden can launch them from its hardpoints.

Sources: AT-802U at SOFIC 2019 Goes Beyond "Light Attack", Armed and Dangerous

Hydra-70 rocket system, 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsHydra-70 rocket systemUnguided 70mm rocket

Air & Space Forces says Sky Warden can launch 70 mm rockets such as the Hydra 70, and L3Harris lists Hydra 70 among the aircraft's weapon systems.

Sources: Armed and Dangerous, SKY WARDEN

APKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, MunitionsAPKWS / WGU-59 guided rocketsLaser-guided 70mm rocket

Air Tractor says the AT-802U can be mounted with precision-guided 2.75-inch rockets, and L3Harris lists 70mm rockets including APKWS on Sky Warden.

Sources: AT-802U at SOFIC 2019 Goes Beyond "Light Attack", SKY WARDEN

Mk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kit, 500-pound guided-bomb configuration, MunitionsMk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kit500-pound laser-guided bomb

Air Tractor says the AT-802U can be fitted with a GBU-12, and Air & Space Forces says Sky Warden can launch GBU-12 500-pound bombs.

Sources: AT-802U at SOFIC 2019 Goes Beyond "Light Attack", Armed and Dangerous

Timeline

Air Tractor AT-802 Key Events

  1. Large AT-802 design begins

    Air Tractor says Leland Snow began designing a large-capacity single-engine aircraft for aerial firefighting in 1989.

    Sources: Air Tractor Celebrates Serial No.1,000 AT-802

  2. AT-802A type certificate

    Air Tractor says the AT-802A became the first model in the series to receive its FAA type certificate in December 1992.

    Sources: Air Tractor Releases 800th Aircraft in AT-802 Series

  3. AT-802 production starts

    Air Tractor says AT-802 series production began in 1993 with the two-seat AT-802 airtanker and single-seat AT-802A agricultural model.

    Sources: Air Tractor Releases 800th Aircraft in AT-802 Series

  4. AT-802L Longsword enters OA-X

    Air Tractor and L3 announced the AT-802L Longsword for the U.S. Air Force OA-X capability assessment.

    Sources: Air Tractor AT-802-L Longsword Enters OA-X Capability Assessment

  5. Sky Warden selected for Armed Overwatch

    Air Tractor said USSOCOM selected the L3Harris/Air Tractor AT-802U Sky Warden system for Armed Overwatch, with up to 75 aircraft under the program.

    Sources: Sky Warden Team Selected for USSOCOM Armed Overwatch Contract

  6. 1,000th AT-802 marked

    Air Tractor announced serial number 802A-1000, marking at least 1,000 AT-802-series aircraft.

    Sources: Air Tractor Celebrates Serial No.1,000 AT-802

Media

Air Tractor AT-802 Videos

Air Tractor AT-802 Images

Air Tractor AT-802, Agricultural and armed multi-mission turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: 11-5-6W169.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Air Tractor AT-802, Agricultural and armed multi-mission turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: AirTractor Paris I.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Air Tractor AT-802, Agricultural and armed multi-mission turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3
Source: Paris Air Show 2017 Air Tractor Longsword left.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Related Weapon Systems
IOMAX Archangel, Armed surveillance and light attack turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsIOMAX ArchangelArmed surveillance and light attack turboprop aircraftThe IOMAX Archangel is a U.S.-built armed surveillance and light attack turboprop based on the Thrush S2R-660/S2R-T660 agricultural airframe and developed after IOMAX's earlier AT-802 border-patrol aircraft work for the UAE. IOMAX markets the aircraft for low-cost armed ISR, counterinsurgency, border security, and precision strike from austere strips, and open-source investigations later documented UAE-linked Archangel operations in Yemen and Libya.
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64 Apache is a U.S. twin-engine attack helicopter family designed by Hughes Helicopters and continued through McDonnell Douglas and Boeing production. Built around a two-person crew, nose-mounted sensors, a 30 mm chain gun, rockets, and guided missiles, it has direct source-backed combat use from Desert Storm and Iraq to Afghanistan, Sinai, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, anti-ISIS operations, and recent U.S. operations against Iran.
OA-1K Skyraider II, Crewed light attack and armed overwatch aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsOA-1K Skyraider IICrewed light attack and armed overwatch aircraftThe OA-1K Skyraider II is AFSOC's crewed Armed Overwatch aircraft, a missionized L3Harris and Air Tractor Sky Warden built on the AT-802U platform for close air support, precision strike, and ISR from austere sites. The first missionized aircraft was accepted in April 2025, instructor-pilot flying began at Will Rogers in 2025, and 2026 reporting described operational testing and rapid-deployment work rather than documented combat employment.
AC-208 Combat Caravan, Armed ISR and light attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAC-208 Combat CaravanArmed ISR and light attack aircraftThe 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.
Calidus B-250, Single-engine turboprop light attack and trainer aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsCalidus B-250Single-engine turboprop light attack and trainer aircraftThe Calidus B-250 is a UAE-developed single-engine turboprop light attack and trainer family for close air support, armed ISR, counterinsurgency, and training. Public sources document Novaer design roots, Calidus manufacture in the UAE, a carbon-fibre airframe, PT6A-68 power, seven external stores, B-250LA and B-250T variants, and UAE orders for light-attack and training aircraft, but not a confirmed named combat deployment.

Sources

AT-802U at SOFIC 2019 Goes Beyond "Light Attack"Publisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports the AT-802U's described carriage of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, 2.75-inch precision-guided rockets, and GBU-12-class bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Armed and DangerousPublisher: Air & Space Forces | Note: Supports Sky Warden's launch of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets, and GBU-12 500-pound bombs from its hardpoints. | Accessed: 2026-07-04SKY WARDENPublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports the Sky Warden weapon-system list, including Hydra 70 rockets and 70mm rockets with APKWS. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AT-802A - Air TractorPublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports AT-802 family manufacturer background and core specifications, including the 800-gallon hopper and 9,249-pound useful load. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Specifications & Performance - Air Tractor AT-802FPublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports AT-802F firefighting specifications, including hopper capacity, takeoff weight, and Fire Boss configuration context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Amphibious or Land-Based Air TankersPublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports Fire Boss amphibious water-scooper context and land-based AT-802F airtanker operating context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04A Tale of Two Cropdusters with a New PurposePublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports the AT-802U derivative and its multi-mission background. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air Tractor AT-802-L Longsword Enters OA-X Capability AssessmentPublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports the AT-802L Longsword's Air Tractor/L3 development context, OA-X assessment entry, ISR/light-strike role, and integrated mission systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Aircraft Specifications - Air Tractor AT-802UPublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports AT-802U specifications, including engine type, payload, range, and hardpoints. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air Tractor Celebrates Serial No.1,000 AT-802Publisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports AT-802 development history, production timeline, and the 1,000th AT-802-series aircraft milestone. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air Tractor Releases 800th Aircraft in AT-802 SeriesPublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports AT-802 production history and the series scale by 2019. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sky Warden Team Selected for USSOCOM Armed Overwatch ContractPublisher: Air Tractor | Note: Supports the L3Harris/Air Tractor AT-802U Sky Warden Armed Overwatch selection, planned mission set, and up-to-75-aircraft program context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONALPublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports the Sky Raider II International / OA-1K relationship to the AT-802U platform and its ISR, light-attack, sensor, payload, and austere-operations context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04UAE’s AT-802Us And Chinese Drones Fly From This Shadowy Base In LibyaPublisher: The War Zone | Note: The War Zone reported UAE-backed AT-802U aircraft used in the 2014 Second Libyan Civil War and said the type had already seen action in the 2014 Yemen Civil War. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air tractor AT-802U arrive to Hurlburt Field 01.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary AT-802U trainer image at Hurlburt Field; Wikimedia Commons identifies the image as a U.S. Air Force public-domain work. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Yemeni pilots carry out airstrikes with AT-802 turbopropsPublisher: Middle East Transparent | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War use of AT-802 turboprops by Yemeni government and coalition forces in strike missions from Al-Anad Air Base. | Accessed: 2026-07-04UAE deployed aircraft to Libya revealedPublisher: DefenceWeb | Note: Supports 2014 Second Libyan Civil War use of AT-802 light attack aircraft in UAE-supported Libyan National Army operations. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AT-802U light attack aircraft spotted during counter-terrorism operations in SinaiPublisher: The Defence Blog | Note: Supports AT-802U use in the 2011 Sinai Insurgency by the Egyptian Air Force. | Accessed: 2026-07-0411-5-6W169.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary AT-802 family image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04AirTractor Paris I.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the AT-802 family photo at the Paris Air Show. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Paris Air Show 2017 Air Tractor Longsword left.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the AT-802 Longsword gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04