Defense & Military
L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II Operational and Internationally Available
L3Harris announces the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack ISR aircraft, featuring modular systems and cost-efficient operations for U.S. and allied forces.
This article is based on an official press release from L3Harris Technologies.
On May 20, 2026, L3Harris Technologies announced the operational readiness and international availability of its modular light attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) Military-Aircraft. Built upon the rugged foundation of the Air Tractor AT-802 crop duster, the platform is being fielded in two distinct variants: the OA-1K Skyraider II for the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL for allied nations.
According to the official press release, the aircraft is designed to deliver persistent, low-cost airpower in austere environments. By integrating advanced modular systems like the “Red Wolf” standoff cruise missile and “Green Wolf” electronic warfare suites, L3Harris aims to provide a highly adaptable platform for modern irregular warfare and counter-terrorism operations.
From Crop Duster to Special Operations Workhorse
The Armed Overwatch Program
The OA-1K Skyraider II originates from U.S. Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) “Armed Overwatch” program. Awarded in 2022 as a $3 billion initiative, the program sought a cost-effective, crewed aircraft to replace the aging U-28A Draco fleet. The primary objective was to secure a platform capable of close air support, precision strike, and armed ISR in permissive, low-threat environments.
To meet these requirements, L3Harris utilized the Air Tractor AT-802U airframe, a civilian aircraft renowned for agricultural crop dusting and aerial firefighting. As noted in the company’s release, the airframe was selected for its extreme ruggedness, having accumulated over 1.6 million flight hours in harsh conditions. In early 2025, the U.S. military officially designated the aircraft the OA-1K “Skyraider II,” a nod to the legendary Douglas A-1 Skyraider that provided close air support during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Capabilities and Modular Integrations
The “Wolf Pack” System
The Skyraider II boasts significant endurance and payload capacities. According to L3Harris, the aircraft provides five to eight hours of persistent surveillance and strike capability with a 250-nautical-mile combat radius. It is equipped with up to 11 hardpoints, allowing it to carry a 6,000-pound combat loadout that includes AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, AGR-20 APKWS laser-guided rockets, and GBU-12 laser-guided bombs.
Furthermore, the aircraft features Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capabilities. It can operate from unpaved dirt runways or highways, requiring roughly half the distance of comparable medium-altitude ISR platforms. AFSOC is also testing the aircraft’s rapid deployability, ensuring it can be disassembled, loaded into a C-17 or C-5 cargo plane, and reassembled for combat within hours.
L3Harris heavily emphasizes the aircraft’s modular open systems architecture. This includes the “Red Wolf” kinetic strike system, a low-cost miniature cruise missile providing a standoff strike capability of over 200 nautical miles, and the “Green Wolf” electronic warfare system for detection and jamming. The platform also integrates WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical/infrared sensors for high-definition surveillance and laser designation.
“Our customers demand a lean, agile aircraft that can fly, take off and land anywhere, anytime, outfitted with a wide range of payloads… Bringing together Red Wolf and Sky Warden demonstrates the rapid reconfiguration and customization of key L3Harris capabilities,” stated Jason Lambert, President of ISR at L3Harris, in the press release.
Strategic Value and Cost Efficiency
Shifting the Financial Paradigm
A primary driver behind the adoption of the Skyraider II is its extreme cost efficiency. L3Harris advertises the operating cost at under $1,000 per flight hour. Even when fully burdened, AFSOC officials cite a cost of roughly $2,500 per flying hour. This stands in stark contrast to traditional fighter jets like the F-16, which cost between $22,000 and $27,000 per hour to operate.
“The OA-1K is one of the most affordable AFSOC platforms, which then frees up higher-end assets that are more costly, for other mission sets around the world… With rapid disassembly and reassembly, OA-1K can be loaded into mobility aircraft like a C-5 or C-17 for rapid worldwide deployment,” noted Lt. Col. Robert Wilson, AFSOC Armed Overwatch Requirements Branch Chief.
“Skyraider II represents not just a new platform, but a modular solution to our national security needs… It will redefine how we approach joint campaigning, crisis response and the evolving landscape of modern warfare,” added Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, Commander of AFSOC.
Production and Global Proliferation
Current Deliveries and Export Potential
As of the SOF Week conference in May 2026, L3Harris has delivered 18 OA-1K aircraft to AFSOC out of a contracted 45. Production is currently advancing at a rate of roughly one aircraft per month at the company’s Waco, Texas facility. AFSOC is targeting the fourth quarter of 2027 for the aircraft’s first combat deployment.
Internationally, L3Harris is actively marketing the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL variant. The company has secured export license approvals for more than 20 countries, pitching the $25 million aircraft to nations in Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe for border security, maritime patrol, and counter-drone operations.
AirPro News analysis
We observe a fascinating irony in the Armed Overwatch program: the U.S. military is effectively converting a civilian crop duster into a highly lethal, sensor-packed warplane to save billions of dollars. By integrating the “Red Wolf” cruise missile, L3Harris is transforming a slow-moving propeller plane into a long-range strike platform. This blurs the traditional lines between light attack aircraft and high-end bombers. Furthermore, the global proliferation of the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL could significantly alter the balance of power in smaller regional conflicts, granting allied nations access to U.S. special operations-tier airpower at a fraction of the cost of a modern fighter jet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OA-1K Skyraider II based on?
It is a heavily militarized version of the Air Tractor AT-802U, an aircraft traditionally used for crop dusting and aerial firefighting.
How much does it cost to operate?
L3Harris states it costs under $1,000 per flight hour, with AFSOC citing a fully burdened cost of roughly $2,500 per hour. This is significantly cheaper than traditional fighter jets.
What is the “Red Wolf” system?
It is a low-cost miniature cruise missile that gives the aircraft a standoff strike capability of over 200 nautical miles, allowing it to engage targets from a safe distance.
Sources
Photo Credit: L3Harris Technologies
Defense & Military
CBP AMO Orders 10 Airbus H125 Helicopters for Fleet Expansion
CBP Air and Marine Operations contracts for 10 Airbus H125 helicopters, expanding a 30-year fleet of over 100 rotary-wing aircraft.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO) has finalized a contract to acquire 10 additional Airbus H125 helicopters, expanding a fleet modernization effort that relies heavily on the single-engine platform for border security and law enforcement missions.
In a press release issued on July 7, 2026, Airbus confirmed the agreement, which reinforces a three-decade relationship between the federal agency and the aerospace manufacturer. The new helicopters will be assembled at the Airbus Helicopters production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.
Expanding the airborne law enforcement fleet
The latest acquisition builds upon a previous order placed in August 2020, when CBP AMO contracted for 16 H125 helicopters to upgrade its aging rotary-wing assets. The agency currently operates a total fleet of more than 240 aircraft, which includes over 100 helicopters from the Airbus H120 and H125 families delivered over the past 30 years.
The H125, formerly known as the Eurocopter AS350, is utilized by CBP AMO for a variety of demanding flight profiles, including border surveillance, suspect pursuit, and general public safety operations across the United States.
Bart Reijnen, Head of the North America Region for Airbus Helicopters, stated that the expansion “underscores the long-standing collaboration” between the manufacturer and the federal agency. He added that the selection highlights the trust placed in the H125 to execute critical public safety missions under demanding conditions, with Airbus committing to provide comprehensive services to maintain mission readiness.
Virtual reality integration for pilot training
As CBP AMO increases its H125 inventory, the agency is simultaneously overhauling how it trains the personnel who fly them. In November 2025, CBP became the first federal law enforcement agency and the first branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to integrate virtual reality into its aerial training program.
According to reporting by FLYING Magazine, the agency awarded a contract to adopt an FAA-qualified Airbus H125 virtual reality flight simulator developed by Loft Dynamics. The simulator is being installed at the CBP AMO training center in Oklahoma City, where it will be used to train the agency’s roster of more than 600 pilots.
AirPro News analysis
We view CBP AMO’s continued investment in the H125 platform as a clear indicator of the agency’s preference for fleet commonality. Operating a standardized fleet of over 100 H125-family helicopters significantly reduces maintenance overhead, streamlines supply chains, and simplifies pilot transition training. Furthermore, Airbus’s strategy of assembling these aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, likely plays a crucial role in navigating federal procurement requirements, ensuring that the European manufacturer remains highly competitive for U.S. government contracts. The parallel investment in Loft Dynamics’ VR simulators suggests the agency is preparing for a sustained, long-term operational lifespan for the H125 fleet.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
Defense & Military
Bombardier Defense Signs 10-Year Support Deal With Sweden
Bombardier Defense and FMV finalized a 10-year support agreement for Sweden’s two Global 6500 TP 106 military transport aircraft.
Bombardier Defense and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) finalized a 10-year Services Support Agreement on July 22, 2026, securing long-term maintenance and operational readiness for Sweden’s newly acquired fleet of two Global 6500 transport aircraft.
Announced during the Farnborough International Airshow in a company press release, the agreement enrolls the Swedish Armed Forces (SWEAF) in Bombardier’s Smart Services Defense program. The comprehensive support package covers parts, labor, and engineering expertise for the aircraft, which are designated as the TP 106 in Swedish military service and replace the nation’s aging Gulfstream IV and Gulfstream G550 head-of-state transport fleet.
Fleet modernization and delivery timeline
The targeted acquisition deal for the two aircraft was valued at SEK 1.1 billion ($113 million) and formalized in May 2025, according to reporting by Aviation International News. The rapid procurement was enabled by utilizing existing airframes previously operated in Bombardier’s demonstration fleet, which were subsequently modified to meet Swedish Military-Aircraft requirements.
The formal handover of the aircraft took place on June 1, 2026, at the Uppland Wing F 16, as reported by Nordic Defence Sector. The aircraft will be operated by the 75th Swedish Civil Aviation Squadron at Skaraborg’s F7 Air Fleet, based at Stockholm Arlanda Airports (ARN), primarily conducting VIP and head-of-state transport missions.
Smart Services Defense and operational commonality
The 10-year agreement provides comprehensive cost coverage and logistical support for the new fleet. Bombardier stated the program includes landing gear and auxiliary power unit maintenance, ground support equipment, technical assistance, and access to mobile response teams.
Paul Sislian, Bombardier’s Executive Vice President of Aircraft Sales and Aftermarket Services, noted the program provides seamless original equipment OEMs support for the Swedish military.
“Through our Smart Services Defense program, the Swedish Armed Forces will benefit from seamless OEM support, enhanced readiness and predictable lifestyle costs, giving them the confidence to stay focused on the mission while we support their aircraft every step of the way,” Sislian said.
The selection of the Global 6500 platform offers strategic maintenance and operational commonality with Sweden’s incoming airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet. The Swedish Armed Forces are procuring the Saab GlobalEye, designated the S 106, which is also built upon the Bombardier Global aircraft family architecture.
AirPro News analysis
The 10-year support agreement underscores a growing trend among defense ministries to rely on commercial OEMs for turnkey lifecycle support rather than developing bespoke military maintenance pipelines for commercial derivative aircraft. By aligning the TP 106 VIP transport fleet with the underlying platform of the S 106 GlobalEye, the Swedish Armed Forces are establishing a unified logistical footprint. We view this procurement Strategy as a highly efficient approach to fleet modernization, reducing training burdens for maintenance personnel and ensuring higher dispatch reliability through Bombardier’s established global civilian support network.
Sources: Bombardier
Photo Credit: Bombardier
Defense & Military
EU Funds SHARP Project for Next-Gen Military Helicopter Engine
The EU allocated €25M to the SHARP consortium, 25 partners from 12 countries developing Europe’s next military helicopter engine by 2040.
The European Commission has allocated approximately €25 million through the European Defence Fund to back a multinational consortium developing the propulsion architecture for Europe’s next generation of military helicopters.
Announced on June 11, 2026, at the ILA Berlin airshow, the Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft Propulsion (SHARP) project brings together 25 partners from 12 European countries. According to a joint press release from Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines, and Avio Aero, the initiative will establish the technological foundation for the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE), which is targeted to enter service in 2040.
Addressing an aging military rotorcraft fleet
The SHARP initiative aligns with broader European defense goals to replace a rapidly aging fleet of military aircraft under the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) and European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) programs. The current European inventory includes approximately 1,800 transport helicopters and 600 combat helicopters, which currently average 20 years of age. By the 2040s, many of these aircraft will have been in service for over 50 years.
“In light of a continuously aging European fleet of military helicopters the need is obvious: From 2040 onwards, a large proportion of these rotorcraft will have to be replaced,” said Dr. Ottmar Pfänder, Chief Program Officer at MTU Aero Engines. “We joined forces across the continent to underline the importance of this technology program. It will further reinforce European sovereignty and strengthen the European supply chain.”
The funding will be used to develop scalable technological building blocks that can be adapted to various weight classes and mission profiles required by future European armed forces.
Collaborative framework and European sovereignty
The SHARP project builds upon the foundation of the EUropean Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance (EURA), a 50/50 joint venture established in July 2024 between Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines specifically to develop the ENGHE. The consortium has now expanded to include Avio Aero, broadening the industrial base tasked with designing the new powerplant.
Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet stated that the funding demonstrates Europe’s commitment to self-reliance and technological sovereignty for future military platforms, thanking the European Union and participating nations for their confidence in the consortium’s capabilities.
“SHARP marks an important milestone in the journey toward Europe’s next-generation rotorcraft engine and reinforces the value of collaboration in developing sovereign, high-performance propulsion technologies,” said Riccardo Procacci, CEO of Avio Aero. “We are proud to partner with EURA on this initiative, contributing within a fully European framework while leveraging Avio Aero’s well-established expertise and know-how.”
EURA CEO Wolfgang Gärtner confirmed that the joint venture is prepared to coordinate the multinational team to provide modern technologies to European forces.
AirPro News analysis
The €25 million European Defence Fund grant represents a critical early step in aligning Europe’s fragmented defense aerospace sector behind a single rotorcraft propulsion program. By formalizing the SHARP consortium now, the European Union is actively working to prevent the development of competing, incompatible national engine programs that have historically complicated European defense procurement and increased long-term maintenance costs. We view the inclusion of Avio Aero alongside the EURA joint venture as a strong indicator that the ENGHE program is successfully consolidating the continent’s primary propulsion manufacturers ahead of the 2040 target.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
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