IOMAX Archangel

The Story of the IOMAX Archangel

The market for counter-insurgency aircraft remains as global insurgent activity continues and grows. These powerful specialized systems rely on multiple weapon loadouts, long latency, and robust communications with forward combat elements for mission success.

Such close-support weapon systems have proven their worth in the wars in Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and remain a coveted element on the battlefield for world powers and small nations alike.

IOMAX in the United States has therefore developed a new counterinsurgency platform called "Archangel". The aircraft is based on the Thrush 710P series aircraft used for pollination of agricultural crops. As such, the Archangel has a straight-wing main aircraft and inherently powerful low-flying characteristics.

It is a direct evolution of the AirTractor AT-802 "Border Patrol Aircraft" also developed by IOMAX USA in North Carolina. This particular product has been used by the United Arab Emirates for border security duties since 2011.

The Archangel inherits the good qualities of the 710P and AT-802 series, but gains a larger wing and a more powerful 1,600 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop engine driving a five-bladed propeller unit in the nose. The survivability of the two crew members (tandem) has been further improved, as has the situational awareness of incoming threats such as missiles.

The aircraft, which has a mission duration window of more than ten hours, can spend some time over the contested space. The wheeled landing gear (tail) is fixed in flight, eliminating some of the additional complexity and maintenance requirements of the retractable assembly.

Along the fuselage centerline, the aircraft is equipped with an "Iomax Flexbile Pod" that houses a Wescam MX-15D series electro-optical camera system and rover data link for direct communication with ground elements. The centerline pod offers Full HD 1080p quality, along with laser target markers, a band SWIR sensor and 120x zoom capability.

Inside, the cockpit features state-of-the-art digital processing, with three large Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) in the front cockpit and two in the rear. Suitable avionics are the Esterline CMC Electronics Cockpit 4000 series, already in circulation on some training platforms.

The dual cockpits are equipped with a dual control scheme, allowing each pilot to control the aircraft. Both cockpits support night vision, as do the head-up display (HUD) and manual throttle and stick (HOTAS).

The Archangel has a total of six underwing mounts (three on one wing) that can carry precision-guided weapons such as missiles and bombs, as well as more traditional missile and cannon pods. Dual rail launchers increase lethality as the platform can carry up to 48 CIRIT Roketsan Laser-Guided Missiles, 12 Hellfire Missiles or 10 GBU-58 (MK-81) Laser-Guided Bombs (LGB) or 6 GBU - 12 becomes (MK-82) LGB.

In addition to its counter-insurgency role, the Archangel can assume a variety of other service roles, including border patrol, counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling. It has found its first customer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - a fleet of 24 aircraft to replace the in-service AT-802.

May 2017 - Egypt submitted an application to the US government for 12 IOMAX Archangel aircraft. If the request is approved, the planes will bolster their border patrol.

November 2017 - IOMAX Archangel Block 2 aircraft unveiled at the Dubai Airshow. The L-3 Wescam MX-25 photoelectric camera unit is on display at the chin of the fuselage.

Specification

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