AC-208B Combat Caravan
Operator: | Iraq | Lebanon |
Status: | In Service / Requested | In Service |
Number: | 2 (1 crashed in March 2016) / 2 | 3 (1 RC-208 converted) |
Cost: | $14.7 m per plane | |
Acquired: | 2007-2009 | 2010-2016 |
General Specs | ||
Country of origin: | United States | |
Role: | Light attack/Trainer/ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance)/light transport | |
Manufacturer: | Cessna and ATK | |
Introduced: | 1984 | |
Power plant: | Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 867 SHP turboprop engine | |
Thrust: | ||
Wingspan: | 52 ft 1 in (15.87 m) | |
Length: | 41 ft 7 in (12.67 m) | |
Height: | 14 ft 10 in (4.52 m) | |
Weight: | 4,570 pounds | |
Maximum takeoff weight: | 8,807 lbs | |
Fuel Capacity: | 2,246 pounds / 335 gal | |
Speed: | 213 mph | |
Ceiling: | 25,000 ft (7,620 m) | |
Range: | 911.6 miles | |
Crew: | 10 | |
Armament: | 2 x hardpoints | |
Guns | None | |
Air-to-air | None | |
Air-to-ground | 2 x AGM-114M/K Hellfire missiles | |
Radar/Sensors: | ATK’s STAR Mission System, with the STAR Compact MPU, 18-inch Avedon color display and integrated fire-control system | |
MX-15D EO/IR sensor with integrated laser designator and IMU | ||
Countermeasures/ Defenses: | AAR-47/ALE-47 Defensive Countermeasures System | |
Ballistic panels for cockpit and passenger protection | ||
Misc Systems: | BMS A/G and A/A data link (other data links available) | |
VHF/UHF communications | ||
Cockpit tactical displays |
Sources:
- “Grand Caravan EX.” Cessna Aircraft Company, n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.
- “ATK to Deliver Second Armed Cessna Caravan for Lebanon.” Strategic Defence Intelligence. N.p., 23 Jan. 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.
- “U.S. Gives Lebanese Army Cessna Aircraft.” The Daily Star Newspaper. N.p., 6 Nov. 2013. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.
- “ATK Delivers Third AC-208 ‘Combat Caravan’ Aircraft to Iraqi Air Force.” Alliant Techsystems Inc., 16 Nov. 2009. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.
- Hoyle, Craig, Sandra Lewis-Rice, John Maloney, and Marc Antony Payne. World Air Forces 2014. Sutton, Surrey: Flight Global, 2013. Flight Global, 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 30 Dec. 2013.
- “AC-208 Combat Caravan.” Alliant Techsystems Inc., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.
Lebanon Receives Third Hellfire-Capable Cessna
The United States formally handed over a third Cessna 208B Caravan turboprop aircraft (L-403) on 19 December that can launch AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). “This Cessna that we see here today will be equipped with Hellfire missiles and a day-time/night-time targeting system,” US Ambassador Elizabeth Richard said during the […]
Alliant Techsystems Awarded $17 Million to Upgrade Iraqi Cessna 208 Aircraft with HD Video
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $16,946,770 firm-fixed-price modification (P00007) to previously awarded contract FA8106-16-C-0004. Contractor will fully develop and implement a modification in Iraq to install five MX-15 HD systems and upgrade all Cessna 208 aircraft to HD video. Work will be performed in Iraq, and is expected to be […]
Alliant Techsystems Awarded $22 Million to Provide Logistics Support for Iraqi Cessna 208s
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $22,189,071 firm-fixed-price modification (P00010) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA8106-16-C-0004 for contractor logistic support for the Iraqi Air Force’s Cessna 208 fleet. Work will be performed at various locations in Iraq, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2017. This […]
State Department Approves $65.3 Million Sale of AC-208 Combat Caravans to Iraq
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Alliant Techsystems Awarded $11 Million to Provide Support to Iraqi C-208B Caravans
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $11,149,698.00 definitized contract action modification (PZ002) for previously award contract FA8106-16-C-0004 to continue contractor logistic support for the Iraqi Air Force’s Cessna 208B Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance Caravan and the Cessna 208B Armed Caravan fleet. Work will be performed at Balad, Iraq, and is expected to […]
State Department Approves $181 Million Contract to Support Iraqi AC-208 Aircraft
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Iraq for AC-208 sustainment, logistics, and spares support. The estimated cost is $181 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Iraq has requested a possible […]
Iraq Says Two Pilots Missing in Cessna Plane Crash Northwest of Kirkuk
An Iraqi Air Force Cessna 208 Caravan plane crashed on Wednesday north west of the oil city of Kirkuk, and its two pilots were reported missing, an Iraqi military spokesman said. The single turbo-propeller plane was on a ‘reconnaissance and combat mission’ over territory held by Islamic State in northern Iraq, the spokesman, Brigadier General […]
Iraqi Air Force Conducting 60 Percent of Sorties, PM Abadi Says
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State Department Approves $750 Million Sale of Hellfire Missiles to Iraq
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of Hellfire missiles and Captive Air Training Missiles, related equipment and support. The estimated cost is $800 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on January 6, 2016. The Government of […]
Alliant Techsystems Awarded $12.7 Million to Provide Logistics Support to Iraqi Cessnas
Alliant Techsystems Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $12,690,000 firm-fixed-price, labor hour, and cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for contractor logistic support. Contractor will provide CLS for the Iraqi Air Force’s Cessna 208B ISR caravan and the Cessna 208B Armed Caravan fleet. Work will be performed in Iraq, and is expected to be […]
Iraqi Military’s Lack of Airpower Enabling ISIS’s Advance
This week’s stunning advance by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham (ISIS) presents some serious questions about the legitimacy of Iraqi security forces (ISF) and Washington’s policy of giving billions in military aid to troubled Middle Eastern governments. Since the fall of Fallujah in early January, the Iraqi military has failed to put down the […]