On April 3rd, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command received its first OA-1K Skyraider II attack aircraft, marking the beginning of a process that has seen constant starts and stops over the past decades. Derived from the Air Tractor AT-802 agricultural aircraft, the Skyraider II is expected to carve out a niche within a force that is moving toward the demands imposed by high-intensity warfare.
Although Lieutenant General Michael Conley, commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), stated that the aircraft “…will redefine how we approach joint campaigns, crisis response, and the evolving landscape of modern warfare…”, several sectors have questioned the usefulness of a platform like the Skyraider II in high-intensity conflicts, such as those currently unfolding in Europe and the Middle East, as well as potential future conflicts in the Indo-Pacific region.
It is worth recalling that the requirements for a light attack aircraft emerged several years ago, when U.S. armed forces were engaged in low-intensity conflicts, primarily counterinsurgency operations. At the time, the focus was on a flexible, multi-role, and low-cost platform to replace more expensive systems in close air support and surveillance missions.
After years of deliberation, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) awarded a contract in August 2022 to L3 Communications Integrated Systems, valued at up to $3 billion, as part of the Armed Overwatch program. In the first phase of the contract, $170 million were committed for the initial acquisition of the L3 Sky Warden attack aircraft, as well as for research, development, testing, and evaluation.
With the program now underway, AFSOC has moved forward with the induction of the new OA-1K attack aircraft. In July 2024, two AT-802U aircraft began flying from Hurlburt Field to support pilot and technician training. At the end of February this year, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command revealed that the OA-1K would be designated Skyraider II, in honor of the legendary A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft that gained fame during the Vietnam War.
“…The Skyraider II can tailor its capabilities to the mission at hand—whether close air support, precision strike, or armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Its flexibility ensures that AFSOC can meet the needs set by the Secretary of Defense and the President… the (OA-1K) Skyraider II represents not just a new platform, but a modular solution for our national security needs…”.
“…This aircraft embodies the very essence of our command: it is agile, adaptable, and always ready to wreak havoc…,” emphasized Lieutenant General Conley. “…AFSOC exists to execute missions others cannot. The Skyraider II is a testament to that enduring promise…”
In the coming months, additional OA-1K Skyraider II units will roll off the production line and be delivered to the Air National Guard Base at Will Rogers, Oklahoma, home to the Special Operations Command’s training unit.
*Illustrative cover image: USAF – Staff Sgt. Natalie Fiorilli.
