L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II

The AT-802U Sky Warden was developed from the Air Tractor AT-802, for the Special Operations Command's Armed Overwatch trial. A version of the AT-802 has been used for years eradicating coca leaf crops (used in the production of illicit drugs) and as a result was already outfitted with lightweight composite ballistic armored engine compartment and cockpit, called a "bathtub." The windshield features flat ballistic glass panels. The cockpit is built of a steel tube frame design to act as a roll cage, and can support the entire weight of the aircraft.{{Cite web |title=Aircraft Survivability |url=https://802u.com/aircraft-capabilities/aircraft-survivability/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128012723/https://802u.com/aircraft-capabilities/aircraft-survivability/ |archive-date=2023-11-28 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Air Tractor® AT-802U |language=en-US}}

The aircraft is not designed to fit ejection seats. The fuel lines and fuel tank are self-sealing and feature emergency fuel jettison. Restraints include a 5-point harness equipped with airbags. Essential flight controls are present in both the front and rear seats. The landing gear configuration differs from most modern aircraft in that it is a tail-wheel configuration, which is optimal for take-off and landing on austere and unimproved airstrips.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

The AT-802U is designed for expedient deployment and can be disassembled within a day to fit inside a single C-17 cargo aircraft.{{Cite web |title=Sky Warden™ ISR Strike Aircraft {{!}} L3Harris® Fast. Forward. |url=https://www.l3harris.com/all-capabilities/skywarden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128001818/https://www.l3harris.com/all-capabilities/skywarden |archive-date=2023-11-28 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=l3harris.com |language=en}} It can then be reassembled to mission-ready status within a single day.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

On 1 August 2022, Air Tractor and L3Harris were awarded a US$3 billion contract for 75 aircraft. The contract included an upfront payment of US$170 million, with the rest being paid out as the fleet is delivered. The aircraft is built in two stages; the airframe is built by Air Tractor in Olney, Texas, and the armor and weapons systems are added by L3Harris in Tulsa, Oklahoma.{{Cite web |last=Losey |first=Stephen |date=1 August 2022 |title=US Special Operations Command chooses L3Harris' Sky Warden for Armed Overwatch effort |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/08/01/us-special-operations-command-chooses-l3harris-sky-warden-for-armed-overwatch-effort/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220804095815/https://www.defensenews.com/air/2022/08/01/us-special-operations-command-chooses-l3harris-sky-warden-for-armed-overwatch-effort/ |archive-date=4 August 2022 |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=Defense News}} It is to replace the U-28A Draco, often used for anti-insurgency operations.{{Cite web |date=6 January 2021 |title=Air Tractor AT-802U Surveillance and Light Attack Aircraft |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/air-tractor-at-802u-surveillance-and-light-attack-aircraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328132627/https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/air-tractor-at-802u-surveillance-and-light-attack-aircraft/ |archive-date=28 March 2023 |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=Airforce Technology}}

The AT-802U was officially designated the OA-1K in late 2022.{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Rachel S. |date=21 November 2022 |title=Here's the Air Force's plan to train armed overwatch pilots |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/11/21/heres-the-air-forces-plan-to-train-armed-overwatch-pilots/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240107010320/https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/11/21/heres-the-air-forces-plan-to-train-armed-overwatch-pilots/ |archive-date=7 January 2024 |access-date=1 February 2023 |work=Air Force Times}} The designation implies the aircraft is a version of the unrelated and long retired A-1 Skyraider, another tail dragger attack aircraft which was used by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in the past. However this makes the designation non-systematic. On 27 February 2025, Air Force Special Operations Command officials announced the aircraft will be called "Skyraider II" in U.S. Air Force service, after the Cold War-era A-1 Skyraider.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=AFSOC reveals name for OA-1K: Skyraider II |url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4079302/afsoc-reveals-name-for-oa-1k-skyraider-ii/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Air Force Special Operations Command |language=en-US}}

On 15 December 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report urging the Department of Defense to slow down the program until SOCOM makes a better justification for so many planes. GAO suggested SOCOM needs a "substantially smaller" fleet of Sky Wardens, but did not recommend a number itself.{{cite web |last=Tirpak |first=John A. |date=15 December 2023 |title=Slow Down Armed Overwatch Until SOCOM Justifies Fleet, GAO Says |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/slow-down-armed-overwatch-until-socom-justifies-fleet-gao-says/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216231301/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/slow-down-armed-overwatch-until-socom-justifies-fleet-gao-says/ |archive-date=16 December 2023 |access-date=15 December 2023 |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine}} In September 2024 it was revealed that in the previous March the order had been reduced from 75 to 62 aircraft.{{cite journal |last1=Finnerty |first1=Ryan |title=SOCOM trims Armed Overwatch order after scathing review |journal=Flight International |date=October 2024 |volume=201 |issue=5798 |page=14 |publisher=DVV Media International}}

File:Air tractor AT-802U arrive to Hurlburt Field 01.jpg

On 28 June 2024, two AT-802Us (Air Tractor aircraft unmodified by L3Harris) were delivered to Florida's Hurlburt Field to train test pilots and initial cadre before the OA-1K arrives; training began the week of July 8.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-08 |title=AT-802U Trainer Aircraft Arrive at Hurlburt Field |url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3830119/at-802u-trainer-aircraft-arrive-at-hurlburt-field/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Air Force Special Operations Command |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2024-07-09 |title=AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future |url=https://www.twz.com/air/at-802u-trainers-arrive-to-prepare-usaf-aviators-for-a-murky-light-attack-future |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}} On July 29, one of the aircraft was moved to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City to train an initial cadre for the 17th Special Operations Squadron, the Formal Training Unit (FTU) for the OA-1K. The other was to follow later in the year.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=WRANGB home to OA-1K Formal Training Unit |url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3967552/wrangb-home-to-oa-1k-formal-training-unit/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127180135/https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3967552/wrangb-home-to-oa-1k-formal-training-unit/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 November 2024 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Air Force Special Operations Command |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-06 |title=137th SOW welcomes first AT-802U aircraft |url=https://www.137sow.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3863610/137th-sow-welcomes-first-at-802u-aircraft/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=137th Special Operations Wing |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Stover |first=Andrew |date=2024-08-05 |title=Oklahoma Air National Guard Receives First AT-802U, Begins Training for OA-1K Sky Warden |url=https://theaviationist.com/2024/08/05/oklahoma-ang-sky-warden-training/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=The Aviationist |language=en-US}}

The first missionized OA-1K was delivered to AFSOC on 3 April 2025 in Hurlburt Field, Florida.{{Cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=2025-04-03 |title=First OA-1K Skyraider II Handed Over To Air Force Special Operations Command |url=https://www.twz.com/air/first-oa-1k-skyraider-ii-handed-over-to-air-force-special-operations-command |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}} Further airframes are set to be delivered to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, the aircraft's Formal Training Unit (FTU) at Will Rodgers Air National Guard Base.

AFSOC plans to base the OA-1K in Hurlburt Field, Cannon Air Force Base, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Will Rogers Air National Guard Base.

{{US}}

• United States Air Force
• Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
• 492nd Special Operations Wing
• 17th Special Operations Squadron. The OA-1K's Formal Training Unit (FTU), responsible for training new pilots and WSOs in association with the 185th Special Operations Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard also stationed at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base.
• Oklahoma Air National Guard
• 137th Special Operations Wing
• 185th Special Operations Squadron

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= Air Tractor Inc.{{Cite web |date=11 November 2022 |title=AT-802U Specifications |url=https://802u.com/aircraft-specifications/ |website=802U.com}}

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|fuel capacity=wing tanks: {{convert|380|u.s.gal}} and fuselage tanks: {{convert|360|u.s.gal}}

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|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F

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|cruise speed kts=180

|cruise speed note=patrolling speed at {{convert|10,000|ft|m}}

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|stall speed kts=91

|stall speed note=at max gross weight

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|range nmi=1303

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}}

{{aircontent

|related=

• Air Tractor AT-802

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://802u.com/ Air Tractor AT-802U website]
• [https://www.l3harris.com/all-capabilities/skywarden L3Harris Sky Warden website]

{{Air Tractor aircraft}}

{{USAF attack aircraft}}

{{L3Harris Technologies}}

Category:2020s United States attack aircraft

Category:Counter-insurgency aircraft

OA-1K

OA-1K

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Single-engined turboprop aircraft

Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear