A light-attack aircraft that appeared to be a heavily armoured version of the AT-802 agricultural and fire fighting aircraft has been spotted during counter-terrorism operations in Sinai, Egypt.
According to the observer at Arabic news website SD Arabia Mahmoud Gamal, the AT-802U aircraft of the Egyptian Air Force has taken part in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Sinai.
The AT-802U is a surveillance and light-attack aircraft that based on AT-802 agricultural and fire fighting aircraft. It is deployed in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), precision-strike, command and control, counter-insurgency (COIN), close-air support, weapons training, forward arming and refuelling point missions.
According to the airforce-technology.com, the wing and fuselage hard points of AT-802U can be armed with a range of weapon systems, including dual .50 cal. GAU-19/A three-barrel gatling guns, Hellfire missiles, dual M260 seven-tube rocket launchers, and 500lb Mk-82 bombs. The hard points can be increased to 15 to carry additional armament.
According to the current information, about twelve AT-802U light-attack aircraft are operated by the Egyptian Air Force. AT-802U were gifted by the UAE in 2016.
