- L3Harris demonstrated its latest light attack aircraft, which they claim can touch down virtually anywhere.
- The Sky Warden, also known as the Skyraider II, was showcased during SOF Week in Tampa, Florida.
- BI got up close with the Sky Warden and took photos of this new aircraft.
The US Air Force Special Operations Command received their inaugural mission-ready A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft last month. This week, Business Insider had the opportunity to get an exclusive close-up view of the new light attack plane at SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
Air Tractor along with L3Harris’ AT-802U Sky Warden, known as the OA-1K Skyraider II by
AFSOC
Regarding the A-1 Skyraiders used during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, this aircraft served as an armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform, providing close-air support and conducting strikes. According to L3Harris,
can land almost anywhere
.
The new light attack aircraft is a militarized variant of the Air Tractor AT-802 long used for civilian work like agriculture.
This is how it appears:
The Air Force characterizes the Skyraider II as a versatile plane capable of being adapted for various missions and combat operations. They highlight that it requires less maintenance effort and incurs a significantly lower expense per flight hour compared to other AFSOC planes.
Similar to its iconic predecessor, the updated Skyraider was designed for armed surveillance and assault in favorable combat zones. However, with the evolving nature of warfare and uncertainties surrounding engagements in intense conflicts within the Indo-Pacific region, doubts have emerged regarding its suitability for such scenarios.
Jon Rambeau, who leads the integrated mission systems division at L3Harris, stated that the Sky Warden is an “extremely versatile” aircraft and comes with a price tag that is merely “a small portion of what a fighter jet would cost.” The exact amount these airplanes go for remains undisclosed to the public.
Rambeau and Clint Logwood, who serves as L3Harris’ director of flight tests and flight operations, highlighted that one of the key features of Skyraider II is its versatility across various environments. Additionally, it has the capability to touch down almost anywhere while maintaining minimal logistical requirements.
“It could end up anywhere,” Logwood remarked, ranging from desolate and isolated airstrips to roads.
The Air Force has emphasized adaptability, particularly the capability to function in various environments.
severe environments and from irregular airstrips
like roadways. Fixed airfields and bases are easy targets, especially in the Indo-Pacific where US forces have to contend with China’s growing missile force, but an adversary can’t target every piece of concrete in the region.
Logwood, who has put many hours of testing the aircraft’s capabilities, G-force, speed, temperature, and altitude, said: “We have landed this aircraft on some fields that would jar your teeth, and this aircraft just says, ‘That’s all you got?'”
The Sky Warden features “plug and play technology,” according to him. This aircraft boasts a modular design allowing for rapid integration of new systems. Equipped with ten hardpoints designed to carry various weapons and additional technologies.
Although the Sky Warden has two seats, it operates as a single-pilot aircraft where all its systems are tailored for ease of use by an individual and simple to master.
Rambeau mentioned that the expense for each hour of flight is under $1,000, making it one of the more affordable options within the Air Force’s aircraft collection. Additionally, he noted that L3Harris is engaged in talks with possible overseas buyers around the globe.
Underneath the wings of the Sky Warden, Logwood observed, were its fake ones.
AGM 114 Hellfire missiles
, along with ISR sensors and arrays. Should an additional mission pod be required, it can simply be attached and integrated onto the aircraft.
The Sky Warden can be taken apart in less than six hours and packed into a container.
C-17 cargo aircraft
.
Originally, the contract called for 75 planes at a cost of $3 billion. In both 2023 and 2024, the Government Accountability Office released reports advising the Pentagon to reassess the required number of aircraft. They raised concerns that the program might not prove as beneficial due to the U.S.’s transition away from prolonged counterterrorism efforts emphasizing air dominance towards different strategic priorities.
near-peer adversary fights
.
Rambeau cited the aircraft’s potential international sales as examples “to dispel the thought that this is only applicable for counterinsurgency,” saying that those customers were looking at the aircraft for a variety of purposes.
Although Sky Warden can take off and land virtually anywhere, Rambeau and Logwood mentioned that modifications would be necessary for it to operate from carriers. This plane needs approximately 1,200 feet for takeoff and landing. In contrast, typical fighters and bombers usually require runways several thousand feet long.
The initial Skyraider gained its renowned status by safeguarding pilots who were shot down over Vietnam. In contrast to jet aircraft unable to remain in the vicinity, the Skyraiders had the capability to linger overhead for extended durations and deploy substantial armaments to provide relentless suppressive fire until helicopter teams arrived for extraction missions.
Skyraider pilot Maj. Bernard Fisher famously landed his plane through withering enemy fire at a battle-scarred airstrip littered with debris and destroyed aircraft, rescued a downed airman, and flew back out after taking multiple hits to his aircraft during a 1966 fight at Ashau. Fisher received the Medal of Honor for his actions.
The Air Force anticipates that the new Skyraiders will offer similar outstanding assistance to forces in upcoming battles.
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