The United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has officially renamed the light reconnaissance aircraft AT-802U Sky Warden to Skyraider II.
The decision pays homage to the legendary A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft, which was in service from 1946 to the early 1980s.
The Sky Warden was selected in August 2022 under the Armed Overwatch program, a competition organized by USSOCOM (United States Special Operations Command) to choose a new aircraft to support special operations. The project is developed in partnership between L3Harris Technologies and Air Tractor.
Features and Production
The Skyraider II aircraft is based on the Air Tractor AT-802, known for being the single-engine turboprop with the highest payload capacity in the world. It is expected that 75 units will be acquired by fiscal year 2029, with a total investment of up to $3 billion.
Initial production of the Skyraider II will take place at Air Tractor’s facility in Oulnee. The aircraft will then be sent to L3Harris’ center in Tulsa, where they will receive the necessary modifications to meet the requirements of the Armed Overwatch program.
Functions and Military Use
The Skyraider II is designed to perform various tasks in special operations. Among its primary missions are:
- Close Air Support
- Precision Strikes
- Target Designation for Other Weapons
With its ability to operate on improvised runways and long flight endurance, the Skyraider II is expected to enhance the U.S. Air Force’s capability in low-intensity conflicts and scenarios where traditional combat aircraft are not viable.
New Investments in Turboprop Aircraft
The announcement of the Skyraider II comes at a time of growing interest in turboprop attack aircraft. Recently, on December 15, it was announced that the Portuguese government approved the purchase of 12 A-29N Super Tucano aircraft for 200 million euros. These aircraft will be assigned to the 103rd Squadron, which previously operated the Dornier Alpha Jet. In addition to pilot training, the Super Tucanos will also be deployed for peacekeeping missions in Africa.
Sources and images: afsoc / mil.in.ua / Instagram @afspecopscmd. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
