L3Harris OA-1K Sky Warden

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OA-1K Sky Warden
AirTractor Paris I.jpg
AT-802U prototype at Paris Air Show
Role Light attack/ISR aircraft
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Air Tractor / L3Harris
StatusIn service and production
Primary user United States Air Force
Developed from Air Tractor AT-802

The Air Tractor L3Harris OA-1K Sky Warden (company designation AT-802U) is an American fixed-wing, single-engine light attack/armed reconnaissance aircraft built by Air Tractor and L3Harris for the Armed Overwatch program of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). It was developed from the Air Tractor AT-802, an American aircraft often used for agriculture but also used for fire-firefighting, [1] and have been militarized in other programs. [2]

Contents

The AT-802U Sky Warden won the Armed Overwatch trial, and on 1 August 2022, SOCOM announced a US$3 billion contract to purchase 75 aircraft by 2029. [3]

Design and development

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. [4]

The aircraft is not designed to fit ejection seats. The fuel lines and fuel tank are self-sealing and feature emergency fuel jettison. [4] 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.[ citation needed ]

The AT-802U is designed for expedient deployment and can be disassembled within a day to fit inside a single C-17 cargo aircraft. [5] It can then be reassembled to mission-ready status within a single day.[ citation needed ]

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. [6] It is to replace the U-28A Draco, often used for anti-insurgency operations. [7]

The AT-802U was officially designated the OA-1K in late 2022. [8] 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 AFSOC in the past. However this makes the designation non-systematic.

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. [9]

Operational history

The two AT-802Us arriving to Hurlburt Field Air tractor AT-802U arrive to Hurlburt Field 01.jpg
The two AT-802Us arriving to Hurlburt Field

On June 28, 2024, two AT-802U aircraft (strictly Air Tractor airframes not modified by L3Harris) were delivered to Hurlburt Field to train test pilots and initial cadre in preparation for delivery of the missionized OA-1K. Training with the AT-802U began at Hurlburt Field the week of July 8, 2024. [10] [11] Of of those two aircraft moved to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City on July 29, 2024, to train initial cadre for the 17th Special Operations Squadron, the Formal Training Unit (FTU) for the OA-1K, with the other following later in the fall. [12] [13] [14]

Operators

Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States

Specifications (AT-802U)

Data from Manufacturer [15]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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References

  1. ↑ "Fire Boss, LLC". Fire Boss, LLC. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "AT-802 Border Patrol Aircraft". IOMAX Inc. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  3. ↑ D'urso, Stefano (4 August 2022). "AT-802U Sky Warden Selected By US SOCOM For Armed Overwatch". The Aviationist. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Aircraft Survivability". Air Tractor® AT-802U. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  5. ↑ "Sky Warden™ ISR Strike Aircraft | L3Harris® Fast. Forward". l3harris.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Losey, Stephen (1 August 2022). "US Special Operations Command chooses L3Harris' Sky Warden for Armed Overwatch effort". Defense News. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Air Tractor AT-802U Surveillance and Light Attack Aircraft". Airforce Technology. 6 January 2021. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 Cohen, Rachel S. (21 November 2022). "Here's the Air Force's plan to train armed overwatch pilots". Air Force Times. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (15 December 2023). "Slow Down Armed Overwatch Until SOCOM Justifies Fleet, GAO Says". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  10. ↑ "AT-802U Trainer Aircraft Arrive at Hurlburt Field". Air Force Special Operations Command. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  11. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (9 July 2024). "AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future". The War Zone. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  12. ↑ "WRANGB home to OA-1K Formal Training Unit". Air Force Special Operations Command. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  13. ↑ "137th SOW welcomes first AT-802U aircraft". 137th Special Operations Wing. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  14. ↑ Stover, Andrew (5 August 2024). "Oklahoma Air National Guard Receives First AT-802U, Begins Training for OA-1K Sky Warden". The Aviationist. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "AT-802U Specifications". 802U.com. 11 November 2022.
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