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| Iraq |
| Strategy Page: the Cessna solution |
| 2008-02-20 |
| February 19, 2008: Strapped for cash, and qualified pilots, the Iraqi Air Force has adopted a clever solution for both problems. It is buying Cessna 172 single engine aircraft for training pilots. This is a common aircraft for the task, and those equipped for training are often called the T-41. But Iraq is also buying Cessna Grand Caravan 208B aircraft. Affectionately known in some circles as "the pickup truck with wings." This is also a single engine aircraft, but is larger than the four seat 172, and can carry nine passengers, or about a ton of cargo. The 208Bs are being equipped with the same sensors and targeting pods used on the Predator UAV. The 208B can be rigged to carry Hellfire missiles as well, giving the Iraqis an aircraft that can act as an Predator clone, a personnel transport or a cargo hauler. Many are available on the used aircraft market for about $2 million each. And pilots can be quickly trained on the 172, and easily transition to the 208B. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #12 Strange. That plane's dusting crops where there ain't no crops. |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2008-02-20 20:48 |
| #11 If it's good enough for the Rantburg Air Force... |
| Posted by: Ulladulla 2008-02-20 18:45 |
| #10 I've done "bombing" out of a 210. Hay Bales to cattle stuck by a flood, long time ago when I was still rated. Did it out of a 172, but that was full cans of beer as well, but that was Texas, an impound lake, and a bass boat with guys we knew in it, heh. I've always wanted a P210 with the turbocharged conversion work. Climbs at 2100fpm, runs on JetA, and cruises at over 200kts, 1300nm range. Great single engine AC. Roomy too with good cargo capacity, and the P model is pressurized so you can go up to 18000 with that engine. Haven't made them since 1985 tho. I guess I'm old. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-02-20 18:25 |
| #9 Noooo! Penny was the niece! the 310 was the Songbird ( the Cessna aeroplane) early episodes used a Beech taildragger. |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2008-02-20 17:30 |
| #8 Penny was 310? is that metric? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-02-20 17:09 |
| #7 And I remember Sky King 'bombing' the bad guys on Saturday morning with bags of flour, ably assisted by his bombadier/ niece, Penny. (Cessna 310 twin) |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2008-02-20 16:20 |
| #6 Jeez the games are getting closer and closer... |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-02-20 16:10 |
| #5 How would anyone who plays mere computer games know anything about a weapons platform? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJjRQLbiEyg ;) |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2008-02-20 14:26 |
| #4 Thats not the first "attack Cessna" though. Look up the A37 |
| Posted by: buwaya 2008-02-20 13:12 |
| #3 Holy crap - an ATTACK Cessna! Thats great! |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-02-20 12:59 |
| #2 ...giving the Iraqis an aircraft that can act as an Predator clone. Cause, you know, it takes at least a generation of youth with hands on experience with the Next Generation[tm] consoles to get the hang of the modern VideoGame War[tm] tech. (Noticing nervous Top Guns concerns about the enlisted back stateside operating UAVs from their remote |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-02-20 09:26 |
| #1 Excellent idea! |
| Posted by: Rob Crawford 2008-02-20 08:52 |