The Skyraider rides again to support special operations.
Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, AFSOC commander, announced the new OA-1K designation and Skyraider II name at the Global SOF Foundation’s Special Air Warfare Symposium in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Developed under the US Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) Armed Overwatch programme, the Sky Warden was a derivative of the Air Tractor AT-802 agricultural aircraft, and was developed from the L3 produced AT-802L Longsword.
L3 Platform Integration, in collaboration with Air Tractor, developed the AT-802L Longsword ISR aircraft (based on AT-802U) for Yemen, though the four converted aircraft were later diverted to Jordan. These aircraft were compared unfavourably with the AT-802i Block 1 and Block 2 Border Patrol Aircraft developed by IOMAX for the UAE, which were fully armed multi-role light attack and ISR aircraft. The BPAs were subsequently ‘cascaded’ to Egypt, Yemen and Jordan when the UAE re-equipped its special operations unit with the Thrush-based IOMAX Archangel.
An improved L3 AT-802L Longsword was offered to Kenya, with a redesigned cockpit, updated digital avionics and a new wing, with under-wing hardpoints for up to 6,200lb of weapons. No order was placed, and instead, a similar configuration formed the basis of the L3 Sky Warden offered to meet the USAF’s Armed Overwatch programme, which sought to replace AFSOC’s U-28A Draco (PC-12) aircraft.
The rival IOMAX Archangel was not part of the evaluation, which pitched the Sky Warden against the Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine, and the Sierra Nevada Corporation MC-145B Wily Coyote, as well as the Leidos/Paramount USA/Vertex Aerospace Bronco II, Sierra Nevada Corporation/Embraer A-29, and the MAG Aerospace MC-208 Guardian.
On 1 August 2022, United States Special Operations Command indicated that it would purchase up to 75 AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft to support special operations forces under a $3 billion contract. But following a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review, the number of aircraft was reduced to 62, amid questions as to the need for such a large fleet following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, where persistent ISR and close air support had been a key requirement, and had driven the Armed Overwatch project.
Airframes will be supplied by Air Tractor with L3Harris then modifying them into the Armed Overwatch mission configuration.
The plan is to deploy five squadrons (each originally with 15 aircraft), with one squadron deployed, three training or undergoing maintenance, and one a dedicated training unit. Initial service entry is expected in 2026, and full operating capability is planned for 2029.
In 2024 two unmodified AT-802 aircraft were delivered to the 17th Special Operations Squadron for training and pilot familiarization at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma. AFSOC expects to receive its first operational OA-1K at Hurlburt Field, Florida, during the coming weeks.
