The Icarus Aerospace Wasp is a Canadian twin-turboprop close-air support aircraft designed for versatility in modern combat scenarios.
The Icarus Aerospace Wasp is a twin-turboprop tactical air vehicle developed in Canada for close-air support (CAS) and multi-role missions. It features a tandem two-seat cockpit equipped with advanced avionics and sensor fusion capabilities. The aircraft measures 52 feet (15.85 meters) in length with a wingspan of 51 feet (15.5 meters) and a maximum takeoff weight of 21,000 pounds (9,525 kilograms). Powered by two 1,700 horsepower engines, the Wasp achieves a maximum speed of 414 mph (666 km/h) and offers an unrefueled endurance of up to 6.5 hours, extendable to 9 hours with external fuel tanks. It is equipped with eleven external hardpoints supporting a 3,629 kg (8,000 lb) payload, including various munitions and optional sensor systems. Designed for versatility, the Wasp can perform missions such as CAS, maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and reconnaissance, with options for manned, remotely piloted, or fully autonomous operations.
History of the Development of the Icarus Aerospace Wasp
In the early 21st century, military operations increasingly required versatile aircraft capable of performing multiple roles, especially in asymmetric warfare environments. Traditional jet fighters, while powerful, often proved too costly and complex for missions such as close-air support, reconnaissance, and counter-insurgency. This operational gap highlighted the need for a cost-effective, multi-role platform that could operate efficiently in diverse scenarios.
Recognizing this need, a group of experienced test pilots and flight test engineers in Canada founded Icarus Aerospace in early 2016. Drawing from their extensive backgrounds in various aerospace programs, including the Bombardier C Series and Global 7500, the team aimed to design an aircraft that addressed the limitations observed in existing platforms. Their goal was to create a clean-sheet design that offered 90% of the mission capabilities of modern fighters at only 15% of the cost.
The development process involved multiple design iterations, with the team focusing on creating a platform that was both highly capable and cost-effective. In August 2020, Icarus Aerospace unveiled the Tactical Air Vehicle (TAV), the baseline configuration for a family of specialized aircraft. The Wasp emerged as the militarized variant of the TAV, specifically tailored for close-air support, maritime and coastal patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and surveillance missions.
The Wasp’s design drew inspiration from the OV-10 Bronco, a Vietnam War-era aircraft known for its versatility and ruggedness. The twin-boom configuration was chosen for its stability and payload capacity, essential for low-altitude operations and diverse mission profiles. The development team emphasized modularity, allowing the Wasp to be customized to meet specific operational requirements of various military and security forces.
Throughout its development, the Wasp was designed with an emphasis on advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and network-centric capabilities. The aircraft’s optionally piloted configuration allows for manned, remotely piloted, or fully autonomous operations, providing flexibility in mission planning and execution. By 2025, the Wasp had progressed through various stages of development, with Icarus Aerospace seeking partnerships and investment to bring the aircraft to market, aiming to address the global demand for a versatile and cost-effective tactical air platform.
Design of the Icarus Aerospace Wasp
The Icarus Aerospace Wasp features a distinctive twin-boom design, a configuration chosen for its stability and operational efficiency in low-altitude missions. The aircraft measures 52 feet (15.85 meters) in length and has a wingspan of 51 feet (15.5 meters), providing a balanced platform for various mission profiles. The airframe is constructed with advanced composite materials, enhancing durability while reducing overall weight.
The Wasp is powered by two turboprop engines, each delivering 1,700 horsepower. These engines are housed in streamlined nacelles mounted on the wings, driving five-bladed propellers in a tractor configuration. This setup ensures optimal performance for “low-and-slow” flight profiles, crucial for close-air support and reconnaissance missions. The choice of turboprop engines offers a balance between speed and fuel efficiency, allowing for extended loiter times over operational areas.
The aircraft’s wing design features straight edges with clipped tips, optimizing it for low-altitude handling and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. This design enables operations from unprepared or austere runways, increasing the Wasp’s versatility in various combat and support scenarios. The twin-boom structure supports a high-mounted horizontal stabilizer, contributing to the aircraft’s stability and control during diverse flight maneuvers.
The cockpit accommodates two crew members in a tandem arrangement, with the pilot seated in the front and the systems or weapons officer in the rear. The canopy design provides excellent visibility, essential for situational awareness during complex missions. The cockpit is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, including a fully digital glass cockpit, sensor fusion technology, and network-centric communication systems. These features enable seamless integration with other assets and real-time data sharing, enhancing mission effectiveness.
One of the Wasp’s notable design features is its modularity. The aircraft is designed to accommodate various mission-specific payloads, including sensors, weapons, and auxiliary fuel tanks. This adaptability allows operators to tailor the aircraft to their specific operational needs without requiring extensive modifications. The Wasp’s internal systems are built around an open-architecture framework, ensuring easy integration of new technologies as they become available.
The aircraft is equipped with eleven external hardpoints, capable of carrying a diverse range of munitions. These include three under each wing, positioned outboard of the engine nacelles, and several fuselage-mounted hardpoints. The Wasp can be armed with a combination of air-to-ground missiles, unguided and precision-guided bombs, and rockets. Additionally, it features an internal forward-firing cannon, with an optional ventral gun pod for increased firepower.
The onboard sensor suite is designed for both day and night operations, featuring an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar housed in the nose and up to two Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) turrets in retractable housings. This combination allows the Wasp to conduct reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strikes in various environmental conditions. The aircraft also incorporates electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, providing self-protection against radar-guided and infrared-guided threats.
The landing gear is a retractable tricycle configuration, optimized for rough-field operations. This feature enhances the aircraft’s deployability in forward-operating environments where paved runways may not be available. Additionally, in-flight refueling capability extends the aircraft’s endurance, allowing for prolonged operations in combat zones.
The Wasp’s design offers several advantages, including low operating costs, high endurance, and mission versatility. However, its turboprop configuration may limit its survivability in high-threat environments where jet-powered adversaries dominate. Despite this, the Wasp’s low-speed maneuverability, rugged airframe, and extensive payload capacity make it a formidable platform for counter-insurgency, reconnaissance, and close-air support missions.
Performance of the Icarus Aerospace Wasp
The Icarus Aerospace Wasp is powered by two turboprop engines, each producing 1,700 horsepower. These engines drive five-bladed propellers, optimized for fuel efficiency and sustained low-speed operations. The aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 21,000 lb (9,525 kg), which allows for significant payload flexibility.
Speed and Altitude
- Maximum speed: 414 mph (666 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 345 mph (555 km/h)
- Operational ceiling: 35,000 feet (10,670 meters)
Range and Endurance
- Unrefueled range: 1,610 nautical miles (2,980 km)
- Endurance: 6.5 hours on internal fuel, extendable to 9 hours with external tanks
- Combat radius: 750 nautical miles (1,390 km) with a full payload
These specifications place the Wasp in a unique category, offering extended loitering capabilities over operational zones, making it well-suited for long-duration surveillance and counter-insurgency missions.
Comparison to Competitors
The Wasp competes with aircraft such as the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine, and the OV-10 Bronco. Compared to the Super Tucano, the Wasp features a greater payload capacity and a more advanced avionics suite. Against the AT-6 Wolverine, it provides better endurance and multi-mission adaptability.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, a heavily armored CAS aircraft, outperforms the Wasp in firepower and survivability, especially in contested environments. However, the Wasp is cheaper to operate, easier to maintain, and deployable in austere conditions. The OV-10 Bronco, though similar in design philosophy, lacks the modern avionics, electronic warfare capabilities, and modular payload flexibility of the Wasp.
Variants of the Icarus Aerospace Wasp
The Wasp platform is designed with modularity, allowing multiple variants to serve different operational requirements. The primary variants include:
Wasp TAV (Tactical Air Vehicle)
- Baseline configuration for multi-mission roles.
- Supports manned, remotely piloted, and autonomous operation.
- Optimized for COIN, reconnaissance, and border patrol missions.
Wasp ISR
- Dedicated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) variant.
- Equipped with advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors, signal intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities.
- Extended endurance for prolonged airborne surveillance.
Wasp CAS (Close Air Support)
- Heavily armed variant designed for CAS missions.
- Features additional hardpoints and an integrated cannon system.
- Enhanced electronic warfare (EW) and self-defense systems.
Wasp Maritime Patrol
- Specialized for maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare.
- Can carry torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and sonobuoys.
- Fitted with a maritime radar system for sea-based operations.
Each variant is tailored for specific mission sets, allowing flexibility for military and law enforcement applications.
Military Missions of the Icarus Aerospace Wasp
Armament and Weapons Systems
The Wasp is equipped with eleven external hardpoints, capable of carrying:
- Air-to-ground missiles (AGM-114 Hellfire, Brimstone)
- Unguided and precision-guided bombs (GBU-12 Paveway, JDAMs)
- Hydra 70 rocket pods
- Internal forward-firing cannon (25mm or 30mm)
- Optional external gun pods
Missions and Combat Roles
Close Air Support (CAS)
The Wasp’s primary mission is CAS, supporting ground troops by engaging enemy positions. With high maneuverability and extended loiter time, it can deliver precision strikes in dynamic combat environments.
Counter-Insurgency (COIN)
For COIN operations, the Wasp provides persistent surveillance, rapid response firepower, and integration with ground forces. Its low operating costs and flexible deployment make it suitable for long-duration counterterrorism and paramilitary engagements.
Maritime Patrol & Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Equipped with radar, FLIR, and sonobuoy deployment capabilities, the Wasp can conduct coastal surveillance, anti-ship strikes, and submarine tracking.
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
The Wasp ISR variant monitors enemy movements, collects signals intelligence (SIGINT), and conducts border security operations.
Operational Use and Sales
As of 2025, Icarus Aerospace is actively marketing the Wasp to military and paramilitary organizations. The aircraft is designed to replace aging OV-10 Broncos, AT-6 Wolverines, and similar platforms.
Current interest has been reported from Canada, Latin America, and Southeast Asian nations seeking low-cost, high-endurance tactical aircraft. If adopted, the Wasp could become a key asset in modern CAS and ISR operations.
The Icarus Aerospace Wasp is a modern, low-cost alternative for close-air support, counter-insurgency, and intelligence missions. With its modular design, advanced avionics, and multi-role adaptability, it addresses capability gaps left by traditional fighter jets and aging COIN aircraft.
While it lacks the survivability of armored jets like the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the Wasp compensates with endurance, mission flexibility, and reduced operational costs. For nations seeking a versatile CAS and ISR platform, the Wasp presents a viable, high-performance solution.
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