A Tale Of Two Cropdusters With A New Purpose
Two unlikely rivals—both born on American farms—are turning heads in Dubai. Parked on opposite ends of the static display, the Archangel and the LongSword represent competing visions for how rugged agricultural aircraft can be transformed into low-cost platforms for close air support (CAS) and ISR. Originally pioneered by the UAE, this concept is now attracting serious attention from the U.S. Air Force as it searches for affordable ways to project power in low-threat environments.
The rivalry traces back to Iomax, a North Carolina firm led by the late Ron Howard, who convinced the UAE Special Operations Command in 2010 to weaponize Air Tractor AT-802 cropdusters. The UAE bought 24 modified aircraft—dubbed Border Patrol Aircraft—and soon deployed them over Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. A falling out with Air Tractor later pushed Iomax to partner with Thrush, creating the Archangel platform. Meanwhile, Air Tractor joined forces with L3 in Waco, Texas, to produce the AT-802L LongSword, outfitted with advanced mission systems, helmet-mounted displays, and night-vision-compatible cockpits.
Both aircraft found early interest abroad. Kenya received a U.S. Foreign Military Sales offer for up to 12 LongSwords in a $418 million deal, positioning the platform as a cost-effective alternative to aging fighters. Iomax contested the offer, triggering GAO and Air Force investigations—both of which ultimately cleared Air Tractor and L3. Meanwhile, Iomax has continued to market the Archangel aggressively, claiming its aircraft have already delivered more than 4,000 munitions in combat and drawing attention from Egypt and other nations across Africa and the Americas.
Both platforms recently featured in the USAF’s Light Attack Experiment at Holloman AFB, competing against more conventional aircraft like the AT-6 and Super Tucano. According to USAF Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Steven Wilson, even the “most radical” contender—the LongSword—remains under serious consideration. What started as a niche idea in the UAE has evolved into a competitive arena where militarized cropdusters could shape the future of low-cost airpower.