US Air Force not the only customer for ‘armored crop dusters’ 

The U.S. Air Force’s OA-1K Skyraider II is often described as a “crop duster on steroids.” Built on the rugged Air Tractor AT-802U platform, the heavily modified prop-driven aircraft was designed for counter-insurgency missions and armed overwatch. But even as U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) trims its near-term purchases, manufacturer L3Harris is ramping up production capacity in anticipation of more international demand.

Bigger in Texas

L3Harris Technologies announced in late August that it completed an expansion at its Waco, Texas, facility, making it the central hub for Skyraider II production. The site now features a newly outfitted hangar equipped with advanced manufacturing tools, designed to expedite testing, streamline upgrades and boost output.

“This hangar brings together the talent and technology needed to rapidly advance the Skyraider II mission and deliver the OA-1K aircraft,” said Jason Lambert, president of L3Harris’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance division.

The expansion, backed by local lawmakers, is also expected to bolster business in Central Texas. “The innovation taking place here in Central Texas will not only revolutionize advancements on the battlefield, but also strengthen our local economy,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas.

Budget cuts slow U.S. purchases

Originally, the U.S. SOCOM planned to buy 75 Skyraiders under the Armed Overwatch program, a $3 billion initiative to provide affordable close air support and reconnaissance from austere airstrips. Budgetary constraints, however, have steadily reduced the numbers. Purchases were trimmed to 12 aircraft in fiscal year 2025, and the 2026 request calls for just six, according to budget documents.

A spokesperson for SOCOM told Air & Space Forces Magazine the cuts were due to “resource constraints.” The program of record still officially calls for 75 aircraft, but the Pentagon’s shifting focus to higher-end conflicts in the Pacific placed pressure on niche platforms like the Skyraider II.

Despite criticism from government auditors that the aircraft would not survive against modern anti-air threats, special operations leaders argue it provides a cost-effective alternative. “That’s obviously much more cost-effective than trying to get a stack of F-16s, AWACS, and F-15s up there,” said Col. Justin Bronder, head of SOCOM’s fixed-wing procurement office.

Modular and mission-flexible

The OA-1K Skyraider II is designed to be highly adaptable. Its cockpit is modeled after the A-10 Warthog and protected by a ballistic armor “bathtub.” Crews can swap out sensors, communications gear and weapons depending on the mission. The aircraft can also be broken down and shipped inside a cargo plane, allowing rapid deployment to nearly any theater.

The Skyraider can be kitted out with features like the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS), which converts unguided Hydra rockets into precision munitions. The Pentagon recently awarded a $1.7 billion contract for thousands of APKWS rockets, underscoring their importance in modern conflicts.

The aircraft’s potential for counter-drone missions has also drawn attention. In Ukraine, improvised methods include shooting drones from the back of propeller planes with rifles and shotguns. The Skyraider II offers a far more capable platform for such missions.

Eyeing overseas buyers

While U.S. purchases slow, L3Harris is confident overseas demand will fill the gap. The company already received export approval for sales to 12 countries, with another dozen requests under review, according to FlightGlobal. Executives say they are in advanced talks with at least three potential customers, though names have not been disclosed.

“We’re seeing a fair amount of international opportunity for Armed Overwatch,” L3Harris chief financial officer Ken Bedingfield said during a recent earnings call.

Deliveries underway

The first missionized Skyraider II was delivered to the U.S. Air Force in April, with more deliveries scheduled monthly until the current contract is complete. According to SOCOM, the aircraft is on track to achieve initial operational capability by the end of fiscal year 2026.

For now, the Skyraider II program straddles two worlds: born out of the wars in the Middle East, yet being adapted for new missions in an era dominated by drones, great power competition and budget trade-offs. Whether its future lies more with U.S. operators or international partners, the rugged little “crop duster on steroids” seems poised to remain a fixture on modern battlefields.

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