The Air Force’s newest aircraft, a crop-duster style plane modified to perform armed overwatch and intelligence gathering, was delivered last week to Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

The OA-1K Skyraider II, now fully modified for military use, is an inexpensive but capable light attack aircraft to provide eyes in the sky for special operations forces on the ground and replace several airframes due for retirement, the Air Force said. Its name is a nod to the A-1 Skyraider, a propeller-driven attack aircraft that saw heavy use in the Korean and Vietnam wars before its retirement in 1973.

“Skyraider II represents not just a new platform, but a modular solution to our national security needs,” Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, AFSOC commander, said Thursday. “It will redefine how we approach joint campaigning, crisis response and the evolving landscape of modern warfare.”

In addition to versatility, the Skyraider II requires a much smaller maintenance package and costs less per flying hour than other conventional or other special operations aircraft, the Air Force said.

Air Force Special Operations Command has sought a new armed overwatch aircraft since at least 2017, ultimately choosing in 2022 the single-engine, turboprop aircraft manufactured by L3 Harris and Air Tractor to perform that mission. The Skyraider II is based on Air Tractor’s AT-802U Sky Warden, a heavily modified crop dusting-style plane that can be outfitted to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. It also can carry 500-pound to 1,000-pound bombs and guns from .50-caliber machine guns to 20mm cannons.

Like the first Skyraider, the OA-1K is a small, agile aircraft with attack capabilities. Both Skyraiders feature a tailwheel — a small wheel under the aircraft’s tail — which give them “the capability for short takeoffs and landings as well as the ability to operate from unimproved or austere airfields,” according to the command.

“This aircraft embodies the very essence of our command, it’s agile, it’s adaptable and it’s always ready to deliver lethality,” Conley said. “AFSOC exists to accomplish the missions others can’t do. The Skyraider II is a testament to that enduring promise.”

Officials expect it will be able to replace two aging Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft — the U-28 Draco and MC-12 manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance planes, which are expected to be retired by the end of the decade.

Air Force Special Operations Command initially sought 75 OA-1Ks in its $3 billion contact with L3 Harris and Air Tractor but slimmed its purchase plan last year to 62 amid budget constraints, officials said at the time.

Additional aircraft will flow from the production line to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Okla., in the coming months where the Skyraider II formal training unit is located.

Contributing: Corey Dickstein

previous coverage

• Skyraider II: Air Force special ops unveils name for new aircraft with nod to attack plane used in Korea, Vietnam