Previously known only as the OA-1K, the new special ops close air support aircraft will now be formally known as the Skyraider II, calling back to the original Skyraider. Known for its rugged construction, the original Skyraider flew in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
The Skyraider II will primarily serve special operations forces, but also the joint force, to provide "close air support, precision strike, and armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance," according to a press release. The Skyraider II was designed to operate in austere environments with minimal logistical support.
Or as Brig. Gen. Craig Prather explained, "We don’t expect the Skyraider II to go mix it up with 5th and 6th generation fighters, it will provide value to our supported forces globally."
The Skyraider II is built on the airframe of the Air Tractor AT-802, which was designed as a crop duster. Air Tractor and defense contractor L3 Harris designed it into the OA-1K Skyraider II as a part of the armed overwatch program at Special Operations Command.
"Providing scalable and precision effects is where the Skyraider II will come in," Prather said. "The Skyraider II could take on missions from the southwest border to Africa and create dilemmas for those we are in competition with." Special Operations Command is expected to receive the first Skyraider II aircraft at Hurlburt Field in Florida in the spring of 2025.
