Aircraft & UAVs

OA-1K Skyraider II

Also known as
  • OA-1K
  • Skyraider II
  • Sky Warden

The OA-1K Skyraider II is AFSOC's crewed Armed Overwatch aircraft, a missionized L3Harris and Air Tractor Sky Warden built on the AT-802U platform for close air support, precision strike, and ISR from austere sites. The first missionized aircraft was accepted in April 2025, instructor-pilot flying began at Will Rogers in 2025, and 2026 reporting described operational testing and rapid-deployment work rather than documented combat employment.

OA-1K Skyraider II, Crewed light attack and armed overwatch aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: Air Force Special Operations Command accepts the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II [Image 1 of 5]

Role in Conflicts

2015 Various Conflicts
Side
Unconfirmed conflict context

No source-backed named combat deployment was identified for the OA-1K as of June 2026; available reporting describes AFSOC delivery, training, operational testing, and future deployment planning.

Service And Testing Status

The OA-1K page is strongest as a service-entry and integration tracker until a named combat deployment is publicly documented.

AreaDocumented statusWhy it matters
DeliveryAFSOC accepted the first missionized aircraft on April 3, 2025.Marks the transition from demonstration aircraft to missionized fleet introduction.
TrainingInstructor pilots and test crews were flying at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base by June 2025.Connects the aircraft to the formal training pipeline and the 492nd/137th training community.
Operational testingAFSOC expected operational testing later in 2026 and had received 18 airframes by May 2026 reporting.Shows the aircraft was still moving toward operational employment rather than already tied to a named conflict.
Deployment packagingAFSOC described rapid disassembly and reassembly for C-5 or C-17 transport and planned cargo-aircraft loading tests.Explains how a slow turboprop is intended to reach distant special-operations theaters quickly.
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Crewed light attack and armed overwatch aircraft
Service note
2025-present
Produced
2025-present
Developed from
Air Tractor AT-802

Specifications

Mission profile
Close air support, precision strike, and armed ISR
Loiter time
6 hours
Combat radius
200 nm
Combat load-out
6,000 lb
Takeoff and landing
Short takeoff and landing
Mission systems
Multiple EO/IR and ISR sensors plus radios and datalinks
Crew
Two
Stores stations
11
Maximum takeoff weight
16,000 lb
Variants

OA-1K is the U.S. Air Force designation for the Sky Warden / Skyraider II armed-overwatch configuration derived from the Air Tractor AT-802U family.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Air Tractor AT-802, Agricultural and armed multi-mission turboprop aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAT-802UArmed AT-802 family platform

The OA-1K/Sky Warden mission package is built on the AT-802U platform and adapts the rugged agricultural aircraft lineage for armed ISR and strike missions.

Sources: SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL, Armed and Dangerous

Carried Munitions

Public Sky Warden and OA-1K reporting identifies the aircraft as a hardpoint-equipped ISR/strike platform able to carry guided missiles, rockets, and 500-pound guided bombs.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyAir-to-ground missile

L3Harris lists AGM-114 capability for Sky Warden, and Air & Space Forces reported the aircraft can launch AGM-114 Hellfire missiles from its hardpoints.

Sources: SKY WARDEN, Armed and Dangerous

Hydra-70 rocket system, 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsHydra-70 rocket systemUnguided 70 mm rocket

L3Harris lists Hydra 70 in the Sky Warden weapon-system set, and Air & Space Forces reported the OA-1K can launch 70 mm rockets such as Hydra 70.

Sources: SKY WARDEN, Armed and Dangerous

APKWS / WGU-59 guided rockets, Guided rocket munition family, MunitionsAPKWS / WGU-59 guided rocketsLaser-guided 70 mm rocket

L3Harris lists 70 mm rockets with APKWS among Sky Warden weapons, matching the catalog's 2.75-inch guided rocket family.

Sources: SKY WARDEN

Mk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kit, 500-pound guided-bomb configuration, MunitionsMk 82 fitted with a Paveway- or Lizard-series guidance kit500-pound laser-guided bomb

L3Harris lists GBU-12-class general-purpose and precision-guided bombs, and Air & Space Forces reported Sky Warden can launch GBU-12 500-pound bombs.

Sources: SKY WARDEN, Armed and Dangerous

Timeline

OA-1K Skyraider II Key Events

  1. Armed Overwatch selection context

    Air & Space Forces described Sky Warden as SOCOM's selected Air Tractor AT-802U-based Armed Overwatch aircraft and reported the planned 75-aircraft buy.

    Sources: Armed and Dangerous

  2. Name announced

    AFSOC publicly revealed the OA-1K's Skyraider II name at the Special Air Warfare Symposium.

    Sources: AFSOC reveals name for OA-1K: Skyraider II

  3. First missionized delivery

    L3Harris delivered the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II to support special operations, and AFSOC accepted the aircraft the same day.

    Sources: L3Harris Delivers First Missionized Skyraider II Aircraft to Support Special Operations, Air Force Special Operations Command accepts the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II

  4. Instructor-pilot flying at Will Rogers

    Air & Space Forces reported that the first mission-ready OA-1K had arrived at Will Rogers and was being flown by test crews and the initial instructor-pilot cadre.

    Sources: New Skyraider II Instructor Pilots Racking Up Flight Hours

  5. Operational testing and deployment packaging

    Air & Space Forces reported AFSOC had received its 18th OA-1K, expected operational testing later in 2026, and was testing rapid disassembly and transport by C-5 or C-17.

    Sources: AFSOC Pushes Forward with 'Swiss Army Knife' OA-1K

Media

OA-1K Skyraider II Videos

OA-1K Skyraider II Images

OA-1K Skyraider II, Crewed light attack and armed overwatch aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: Air Force Special Operations Command accepts the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II [Image 1 of 5]
OA-1K Skyraider II, Crewed light attack and armed overwatch aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: AFSOC reveals name for OA-1K: Skyraider II [Image 5 of 7]
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Sources

SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONALPublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports manufacturer background and the OA-1K's technical profile, including the AT-802U basis, short takeoff and landing, six-hour loiter, 200 nm combat radius, 6,000 lb load-out, and EO/IR and ISR sensor fit. | Accessed: 2026-06-29SKY WARDENPublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports Sky Warden weapon integration details, including 11 stores stations, 16,000 lb takeoff weight, AGM-114 capability, common launch tube support, GBU-12-class bombs, Hydra 70, APKWS, MIL-STD-1760, and dual configurable sensor pods. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Air Force Special Operations Command accepts the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider IIPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the first missionized delivery, the AFSOC service context, and the aircraft's arrival for formal training with the 492nd Special Operations Wing. | Accessed: 2026-06-26L3Harris Delivers First Missionized Skyraider II Aircraft to Support Special OperationsPublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports L3Harris delivery of the first missionized Skyraider II aircraft to support U.S. special operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-29AFSOC reveals name for OA-1K: Skyraider IIPublisher: U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command | Note: Supports the OA-1K Skyraider II name announcement and the aircraft's armed overwatch identity. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Armed and DangerousPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports Armed Overwatch selection context, AT-802U/Sky Warden program background, crew count, U-28A replacement role, sensor/radio fit, and carried munitions including GBU-12, AGM-114, common-launch-tube weapons, Hydra 70, and APKWS. | Accessed: 2026-06-29First Mission-Ready Skyraider II Arrives at Air Force Special Operations CommandPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports the April 3, 2025 arrival of the first fully missionized OA-1K at Hurlburt Field and the planned movement of aircraft to Will Rogers for formal training. | Accessed: 2026-06-29New Skyraider II Instructor Pilots Racking Up Flight HoursPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports the June 2025 Will Rogers training context, including test crews and initial instructor pilots flying the first mission-ready OA-1K. | Accessed: 2026-06-29AFSOC Pushes Forward with 'Swiss Army Knife' OA-1KPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports May 2026 service-status context: AFSOC had received 18 aircraft, expected operational testing later in 2026, described future combat deployments, and was testing rapid C-5/C-17 deployment packaging. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Air Force Special Operations Command accepts the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II [Image 1 of 5]Publisher: DVIDS | Note: Public-domain delivery ceremony photo used for the primary OA-1K image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26Air Force Special Operations Command accepts the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II [Image 3 of 5]Publisher: DVIDS | Note: Public-domain delivery ceremony photo used for a gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26AFSOC reveals name for OA-1K: Skyraider II [Image 5 of 7]Publisher: DVIDS | Note: Public-domain name-reveal photo used for a gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-26