Orbital ATK AC-208 Eliminator

Close-Air Support (CAS) / Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft

United States | 2008

"Orbital ATK based its AC-208II Eliminator on the existing AC-208 attack platform line - itself based on the Cessna Caravan."

Image from the United States Department of Defense DVIDS imagery database.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Orbital ATK AC-208II Eliminator Close-Air Support (CAS) / Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft.

1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) turboprop engine developing 675 horsepower and driving a three-bladed propeller at the nose.
Propulsion

214 mph
345 kph | 186 kts
Max Speed

24,606 ft
7,500 m | 5 miles
Service Ceiling

1,243 miles
2,000 km | 1,080 nm
Operational Range

1,235 ft/min
376 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Orbital ATK AC-208II Eliminator Close-Air Support (CAS) / Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft.

2
(MANNED)
Crew

37.6 ft
11.45 m
O/A Length

52.1 ft
(15.88 m)
O/A Width

14.9 ft
(4.55 m)
O/A Height

4,729 lb
(2,145 kg)
Empty Weight

8,818 lb
(4,000 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Orbital ATK AC-208 Eliminator Close-Air Support (CAS) / Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft .

VARIABLE:
4 x AGM-114 "Hellfire" air-to-surface missile (twin-rail launchers) OR 2 x 2.75" unguided rockets in seven-shot pods held underwing.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Orbital ATK AC-208 Eliminator family line.

AC-208 "Armed Caravan" / "Combat Caravan" - Base Series Name.

AC-208II "Eliminator" - Block II variant

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/22/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Orbital ATK AC-208II "Eliminator" is another entry into the growing field of Close-Air Support (CAS), light attack platforms with a secondary over-battlefield role of Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR). Such aircraft are tempting purchases for budget-minded air services due to their relatively low up-front procurement cost and reduced long-term maintenance / cost commitments. The AC-208II is a modified offshoot of the Cessna Caravan (Model 208) by Cessna / Textron Aviation and stands as the Block II version of the turboprop-powered AC-208 "Armed Caravan" / "Combat Caravan" with broadened tactical value.

The original Armed Caravan form has been flying since 2008.

The aircraft takes on a relatively unique form with its high-mounted wing mainplanes offering excellent lift and short-field operation. The nose section houses the engine fit, a single Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) turboprop of 675 horsepower driving a three-bladed propeller unit, just ahead of the side-by-side seating cockpit. The tail unit is conventional with a single vertical plane and low-set horizontal surfaces. The undercarriage is of a tricycle arrangement.

This military-certified aircraft is equipped with a High-Definition (HD) MX-15HD series EO/IR sensor and is a complete self-contained search, tracking and engagement machine. It can operate in day or night environments within reach of friendly forces on-the-ground and keep a watchful eye on enemy movements and established positions. The aerial system comes complete with a missile warning and countermeasures suite for enhanced survivability over the battlefield. The AC-208II is outfitted to carry up to 4 x AGM-114 "Hellfire" air-to-surface missiles, a one-time tank-killing weapon seen on the Hughes "Apache" series of attack helicopters, under its wing mainplanes (two per wing on dual-rail fittings). Available weapons stations also support 2.75" (unguided) seven-shot rocket pods (one pod per wing). The aircraft is equipped with Orbital ATK's own advanced targeting and Fire Control System (FCS) and the cockpit features armor to protect the crew during low-level fly bys in contested airspace.

The nations of Iraq and Libya both operate the AC-208 series aircraft with Afghanistan set to take on its first (of seven) examples (by way of the United States Air Force) some time in 2018.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

2018 - Northrop Grumman purchased Orbital ATK. As such, the AC-208 is now marketed as part of the Northrop Grumman parent name.

September 2021 - The AC-208 has been eliminated as a contender in the USAF's Armed Overwatch program.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Orbital ATK AC-208 Eliminator. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 50 Units
Contractor(s): Orbital ATK (Northrop Grumman) - USA