Iomax Archangel

The IOMAX Archangel, also marketed as the Archangel Block 3 Border Patrol Aircraft (BPA), is an American two-seat light attack and armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft produced by IOMAX USA. Developed as a low-cost border-patrol and counter-insurgency platform, it is a militarized derivative of an agricultural crop-duster airframe, specifically the Thrush Model 660 / S-2R-660 lineage or a modified Thrush 550G. The Archangel first flew around 2012. Its development followed IOMAX's earlier work converting ten Air Tractor AT-802i aircraft into armed configurations for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Approximately 30 Block 3 Archangels have been manufactured.

Design

The aircraft is powered by a 1,600 shp (1,200 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67F turboprop engine driving a five-blade propeller. For surveillance and targeting, the Archangel is equipped with an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret.

Armament

The Archangel features six underwing hardpoints capable of carrying up to 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) of external stores. Available armament options include Roketsan Cirit 2.75-inch laser-guided rockets, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, L-UMTAS guided missiles, and guided bombs.

Operational History

The United Arab Emirates Air Force is a primary operator of the type, having ordered 24 Archangels. The first three aircraft were delivered in November 2015 to replace the UAE's older AT-802i fleet. Jordan also operates the Archangel.