The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) officially welcomed the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II into its fleet. The event, held at Hurlburt Field, marked a major milestone in the Armed Overwatch program and signaled a new chapter in how the U.S. military delivers close air support and intelligence in irregular warfare environments.
The OA-1K Skyraider II—developed by L3Harris and Air Tractor—is the final missionized version of the AT-802U airframe, a rugged platform repurposed from agricultural aviation roots to serve in military operations. AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. Michael Conley declared the delivery “the start of a new era in aircraft modularity,” emphasizing the adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and lethality of the new aircraft.
The April 3rd delivery ceremony featured not just military leaders and industry partners, but also a living link to the aircraft’s namesake. Lt. Col. Bill Buice, a 98-year-old retired A-1 Skyraider pilot who flew over Vietnam in 1967–68 and survived being shot down, was in attendance. His presence underscored the historical weight behind the Skyraider II name—a tribute to the original A-1 Skyraider that served from World War II through Vietnam as a workhorse of close air support.
The name “Skyraider II” was first unveiled at the Air Warfare Symposium on February 27, 2025, solidifying the aircraft’s symbolic link to its predecessor. While the OA-1K may look different from the original A-1, the mission profile—persistent, rugged, adaptable support for ground forces—is fundamentally the same.
AFSOC began training on the platform with the delivery of two unarmed AT-802Us in June 2024. These aircraft, received at Hurlburt Field, allowed crews to start familiarizing themselves with the platform in a tail-wheel configuration representative of the operational OA-1K. In July, the 137th Special Operations Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard received its own AT-802U trainer at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base.
Now, with the arrival of the first fully equipped OA-1K in missionized form, AFSOC is entering the operational phase. The Formal Training Unit (FTU) for the OA-1K is located at Will Rogers, where additional aircraft from the 75-unit order will be delivered in the coming months.
The Skyraider II was selected as the winner of AFSOC’s $3 billion Armed Overwatch program in 2022, beating out competitors including Beechcraft’s AT-6 Wolverine, Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano, and the PZL M28B Bryza. Built by Air Tractor in Olney, Texas, and equipped with advanced systems by L3Harris in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the OA-1K is a unique hybrid of agricultural reliability and military sophistication.
With a payload capacity of up to 8,000 pounds distributed across eight wing-mounted hardpoints and two centerline stations, the OA-1K can deliver 500 lb and 1,000 lb munitions, external guns, and a full suite of sensors. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F engine—armored for survivability—and features self-sealing fuel tanks, making it well-suited for rugged operating conditions.
Lt. Gen. Conley stated, “Skyraider II represents not just a new platform, but a modular solution to our national security needs. It will redefine how we approach joint campaigning, crisis response, and the evolving landscape of modern warfare.”
The OA-1K is being fielded to eventually replace the U-28A Draco, a single-engine ISR aircraft based on the Pilatus PC-12, which has served with the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt and the 27th SOW at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. While the Draco focused on intelligence collection, the Skyraider II expands on that by combining manned ISR with close air support and precision strike capabilities in a single platform.
According to the Air Force, the aircraft is specifically tailored for missions in low-intensity conflict zones, including counterinsurgency (COIN) and irregular warfare—threats still prevalent in the Middle East and Africa.
The Skyraider II can orbit 200 nautical miles from base, loiter for up to six hours, and carry up to 6,000 pounds of ordnance while providing persistent coverage for special operations forces (SOF). This endurance makes it especially useful for long-duration missions in austere environments without relying on high-cost platforms like the AC-130 or fast jets.
A defining feature of the OA-1K is its compatibility with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) doctrine. Designed for short takeoff and landing (STOL), the Skyraider II can operate from unprepared airstrips with minimal logistical support. That makes it ideal for deployment alongside disaggregated SOF units and pararescuemen (PJs), particularly those transported by CV-22B Ospreys.
“The Skyraider II is inherently ACE-capable,” said one AFSOC operations officer. “It provides real teeth in environments where larger aircraft would be overkill or unsustainable. It’s a tailored solution for modern SOF.”
This capability also allows the OA-1K to deploy rapidly to trouble spots across the globe, setting up forward operations quickly and with minimal support.
One of the biggest draws of the OA-1K is its affordability. Operating costs are measured in hundreds—not thousands—of dollars per flight hour. In an era of tightening budgets and expanding missions, that affordability is not just a selling point—it’s a necessity.
“We’re talking about a platform that’s not only rugged and mission-ready, but sustainable for the long haul,” said Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris. “It delivers what the warfighter needs today and positions us for tomorrow.”
That sentiment was echoed by Jim Hirsch, President of Air Tractor, who said: “We are thrilled to be part of this program. We’re fully committed to meeting AFSOC’s expectations and future needs.”
The OA-1K is equipped with a robust communications suite including line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) datalinks, housed in a fairing behind the cockpit. Under the left wing, a dual-sensor electro-optical turret pod enables simultaneous ISR functions; a second pod can be mounted on the right wing to expand coverage.
Despite these strengths, the aircraft is not designed for peer-conflict scenarios involving contested airspace. AFSOC acknowledges this, emphasizing the platform’s niche in irregular and low-intensity warfare.
The OA-1K’s arrival also plays into larger strategic concerns voiced during recent defense hearings on Capitol Hill. At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in March, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona pressed military leaders on whether the U.S. is drifting too far toward near-peer conflict at the expense of other pressing global threats—particularly terrorism and gray-zone operations in Africa.
“As our focus continues toward large-scale combat operations in INDOPACOM and Europe, I’m concerned that we’ll lose sight of persistent threats like extremism, especially in Africa,” Kelly said.
He asked Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), whether the OA-1K could meet AFRICOM’s need for ISR and strike capabilities. Langley’s answer was unequivocal.
“Every combat commander needs more ISR in support of our operations. I would take any additional ISR and any enhanced technologies that would add to the credibility and the lethality of our forces,” Langley said.
The implication was clear: the OA-1K could play a key role not just in the Air Force’s SOF structure, but across multiple combatant commands facing asymmetric threats.
While questions remain about how long turboprop aircraft like the OA-1K will remain viable in a world increasingly shaped by stealth, cyberwarfare, and autonomous drones, AFSOC is confident in its choice.
“This aircraft embodies the very essence of our command,” said Conley. “It’s agile, it’s adaptable, and it’s always ready to deliver lethality. AFSOC exists to accomplish the missions others can’t do. The Skyraider II is a testament to that enduring promise.”
With its STOL capability, proven airframe, low cost, and modular design, the OA-1K offers a practical, flexible, and sustainable option for America’s special operations forces.
