U.S. Air Force develops OA-1K Skyraider II for special forces deployment in difficult battlegrounds
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According to information published by the U.S. Air Force on July 28, 2025, the OA-1K Skyraider II, the latest light attack and ISR aircraft developed for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), is undergoing comprehensive developmental flight testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Managed by the 96th Test Wing in partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the test campaign is a critical phase in certifying the aircraft’s military airworthiness, validating its manufacturer-stated capabilities, and evaluating its mission readiness under conditions replicating forward-deployed operational environments.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The OA-1K Skyraider II is a light attack and ISR aircraft developed for the US Air Force to support special operations with precision strike, surveillance, and armed overwatch in austere environments (Picture source: AFSOC)
Intended to support special operations in irregular warfare, counterinsurgency, and permissive airspace scenarios, the OA-1K Skyraider II is optimized for affordability, versatility, and extended loiter time in remote and austere theaters. The platform is specifically designed to execute close air support (CAS), armed overwatch, precision strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Its robust structure and austere field operability make it an ideal solution for missions in low-infrastructure or contested logistics environments. Of particular note is its tailwheel landing gear, an unconventional design for modern Air Force inventory, which necessitated specialized pilot training and custom-tailored test procedures. This feature provides better handling on unprepared runways, a key requirement for special operations deployments.
The OA-1K is a militarized and combat-adapted version of the Air Tractor AT-802, originally designed for agricultural use and later modified for military applications. L3Harris, the prime integrator, has transformed the platform into a modular, multi-mission aircraft fitted with advanced communications, ISR, and targeting systems. It features an armored cockpit and vital systems protection to enhance survivability in low-threat environments. The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop engine producing 1,600 shaft horsepower, giving it the performance to operate at altitudes up to 25,000 feet with an endurance exceeding six hours. The reinforced airframe supports a combat payload of over 6,000 pounds, which can include precision-guided munitions, unguided bombs, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and rocket pods, in addition to electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turrets and laser designators.
Operationally, the OA-1K Skyraider II addresses a growing demand for reliable, persistent airpower in complex and geographically challenging regions where U.S. and allied special operations forces are increasingly engaged. Whether conducting counterterrorism operations in mountainous terrain, ISR missions over dense jungle, or armed overwatch in desert and semi-arid zones, the OA-1K provides a unique combination of low-speed maneuverability, long endurance, and precision strike capability. Its ability to operate from makeshift airstrips, dry riverbeds, or rugged forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) allows it to stay close to special operations teams, reduce response time, and maintain a high operational tempo in areas where conventional fighter aircraft or drones would be logistically constrained or too expensive to deploy. This tactical flexibility makes the Skyraider II a force multiplier in the types of low-intensity, high-risk missions that define modern special warfare.
The Skyraider II’s development reflects a strategic shift toward low-cost, high-endurance airpower solutions in modern counterterrorism and gray zone conflicts, where fast jets are often cost-inefficient and over-capable for mission requirements. Variants of the AT-802 have already seen extensive operational use in Africa and the Middle East, including in the fight against violent extremist organizations by U.S. partner forces. These aircraft have demonstrated exceptional durability, ease of maintenance, and effectiveness in delivering kinetic support with minimal logistical footprint. The OA-1K builds on this operational heritage with a standardized U.S. configuration designed for interoperability and rapid deployment.
Flight testing at Eglin AFB includes a range of activities such as short and unimproved runway operations, pilot workload assessments, system functionality trials, and flight envelope expansion. According to Major Jacob Marsh of the 96th Test Wing, the aircraft’s unique flight characteristics resemble a hybrid of rotary-wing and light fixed-wing platforms, requiring a novel flight approach. The pilot cadre selected for the program includes aviators with special operations backgrounds, chosen to mirror real-world mission profiles and flying conditions.
The next phases of the campaign will integrate sensor calibration, communications testing, and live ordnance delivery trials. These efforts are expected to culminate in a full operational test and evaluation period in early 2026, paving the way for initial fielding. Once operational, the OA-1K Skyraider II is projected to play a critical role in the armed overwatch mission set, replacing aging and less adaptable platforms while expanding AFSOC’s ability to provide persistent armed ISR support in contested and remote regions worldwide.
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According to information published by the U.S. Air Force on July 28, 2025, the OA-1K Skyraider II, the latest light attack and ISR aircraft developed for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), is undergoing comprehensive developmental flight testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Managed by the 96th Test Wing in partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the test campaign is a critical phase in certifying the aircraft’s military airworthiness, validating its manufacturer-stated capabilities, and evaluating its mission readiness under conditions replicating forward-deployed operational environments.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The OA-1K Skyraider II is a light attack and ISR aircraft developed for the US Air Force to support special operations with precision strike, surveillance, and armed overwatch in austere environments (Picture source: AFSOC)
Intended to support special operations in irregular warfare, counterinsurgency, and permissive airspace scenarios, the OA-1K Skyraider II is optimized for affordability, versatility, and extended loiter time in remote and austere theaters. The platform is specifically designed to execute close air support (CAS), armed overwatch, precision strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Its robust structure and austere field operability make it an ideal solution for missions in low-infrastructure or contested logistics environments. Of particular note is its tailwheel landing gear, an unconventional design for modern Air Force inventory, which necessitated specialized pilot training and custom-tailored test procedures. This feature provides better handling on unprepared runways, a key requirement for special operations deployments.
The OA-1K is a militarized and combat-adapted version of the Air Tractor AT-802, originally designed for agricultural use and later modified for military applications. L3Harris, the prime integrator, has transformed the platform into a modular, multi-mission aircraft fitted with advanced communications, ISR, and targeting systems. It features an armored cockpit and vital systems protection to enhance survivability in low-threat environments. The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F turboprop engine producing 1,600 shaft horsepower, giving it the performance to operate at altitudes up to 25,000 feet with an endurance exceeding six hours. The reinforced airframe supports a combat payload of over 6,000 pounds, which can include precision-guided munitions, unguided bombs, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and rocket pods, in addition to electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turrets and laser designators.
Operationally, the OA-1K Skyraider II addresses a growing demand for reliable, persistent airpower in complex and geographically challenging regions where U.S. and allied special operations forces are increasingly engaged. Whether conducting counterterrorism operations in mountainous terrain, ISR missions over dense jungle, or armed overwatch in desert and semi-arid zones, the OA-1K provides a unique combination of low-speed maneuverability, long endurance, and precision strike capability. Its ability to operate from makeshift airstrips, dry riverbeds, or rugged forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) allows it to stay close to special operations teams, reduce response time, and maintain a high operational tempo in areas where conventional fighter aircraft or drones would be logistically constrained or too expensive to deploy. This tactical flexibility makes the Skyraider II a force multiplier in the types of low-intensity, high-risk missions that define modern special warfare.
The Skyraider II’s development reflects a strategic shift toward low-cost, high-endurance airpower solutions in modern counterterrorism and gray zone conflicts, where fast jets are often cost-inefficient and over-capable for mission requirements. Variants of the AT-802 have already seen extensive operational use in Africa and the Middle East, including in the fight against violent extremist organizations by U.S. partner forces. These aircraft have demonstrated exceptional durability, ease of maintenance, and effectiveness in delivering kinetic support with minimal logistical footprint. The OA-1K builds on this operational heritage with a standardized U.S. configuration designed for interoperability and rapid deployment.
Flight testing at Eglin AFB includes a range of activities such as short and unimproved runway operations, pilot workload assessments, system functionality trials, and flight envelope expansion. According to Major Jacob Marsh of the 96th Test Wing, the aircraft’s unique flight characteristics resemble a hybrid of rotary-wing and light fixed-wing platforms, requiring a novel flight approach. The pilot cadre selected for the program includes aviators with special operations backgrounds, chosen to mirror real-world mission profiles and flying conditions.
The next phases of the campaign will integrate sensor calibration, communications testing, and live ordnance delivery trials. These efforts are expected to culminate in a full operational test and evaluation period in early 2026, paving the way for initial fielding. Once operational, the OA-1K Skyraider II is projected to play a critical role in the armed overwatch mission set, replacing aging and less adaptable platforms while expanding AFSOC’s ability to provide persistent armed ISR support in contested and remote regions worldwide.
