The OA-1K is a tactical ISR and armed-overwatch platform based on the Air Tractor 802A agricultural aircraft with mission systems integrated by L3Harris. The type was dubbed “Skyraider II,” in a salute to the Vietnam-era Douglas A-1 Skyraider. The short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft can operate from unimproved airstrips less than 1,400 ft long while carrying a weapons load of up to 6,000 lb.
The OA-1K’s cockpit and engine compartment are fully armored and the fuel tanks are self-sealing to enhance survivability against small-arms fire. Mission equipment includes LOS/BLOS comms, LINK-16, two pylon-mounted EO-IR full-motion video ISR sensors, and air-to-ground networking that permits tablet-control of sensors by ground troops. Planned weapons include GBU-12 500-lb bombs, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System.
SOCOM picked the AT-802U as the winner of its light attack/armed reconnaissance competition to replace the U-28A as well as the MC-12W in 2022, redesignating the aircraft OA-1K. The command maintains its original requirement for a fleet of 75 AFSOC-operated aircraft but cut the purchase to 62 due to budget constraints. Initial test pilots and instructors began training on a pair of AT-802Us at Hurlburt in July 2024, while the 137th Special Operations Wing at Will Rogers received its first aircraft on July 29, 2024. The unit is currently conducting pilot qualifications, and AFSOC is targeting IOC for 2026, followed by FOC in 2029.
Air Tractor and L3Harris are on contract to delivery 40 OA-1Ks through mid-2026 and the FY26 budget requested funds for six. Development is focused on integrating and certifying the special operations-specific systems, sensor enhancement, and weapons integration. The first operationally configured Skyraider II arrived at Hurlburt on April 3, 2025. An OA-1K was significantly damaged in a forced-landing incident near Tinker on Oct. 23, 2025.
OA-1K Skyraider II Technical Data
Contractors: Air Tractor Inc. (airframe); L3Harris (mission systems and conversion).
First Flight: Circa 2025.
Delivered: April 3, 2025-present.
IOC: 2026 (planned).
Production: 62 (planned).
Inventory: 14.
Operator: AFSOC, ANG.
Aircraft Location: Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Will Rogers ANGB, Okla. Planned: Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
Active Variant: •OA-1K. Special operations tactical ISR aircraft based on the Air Tractor 802A.
Dimensions: Span 59.2 ft, length 37.5 ft, height 11.2 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 16,000 lb.
Power Plant: Single Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67F, 1,600 shp.
Performance: Speed 245 mph, range 1,500 miles (with auxiliary fuselage fuel).
Ceiling: 30,000 ft.
Accommodation: One pilot, one CSO; up to 6,000 lbs of weapons and/ or external sensor payloads on 11 wing- and fuselage-mounted hardpoints.