L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II (USSOCOM Armed Overwatch)

[Forest Green]

Red Wolf Cruise Missile Eyed To Give OA-1K Skyraider II Standoff Strike Capability​

https://www.twz.com/air/red-wolf-cr...oa-1k-skyraider-ii-standoff-strike-capability

 

[alberchico]

Looks like the orders are being reduced again to just 53 airframes.

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/s...er-wants-100-small-drones-to-pair-with-mq-9s/

 

[jsport]

Looks like the orders are being reduced again to just 53 airframes.

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/s...er-wants-100-small-drones-to-pair-with-mq-9s/

IMHO MQ-9 swarm motherships is a different & limited role capability which doesn’t compare to payload versatility & weights the Skyraider provides. Skyraider can even augment a-10s as a follow on loitering adjunct.
If anything the MQ-9s need replacing w/ ducted prop BWB swarm mothership.

 

[Forest Green]

Air Force Special Ops Pushes Forward with ‘Swiss Army Knife’ OA-1K​

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-special-ops-pushes-forward-with-swiss-army-knife-oa-1k/

Plan To Test OA-1K Skyraider II’s Rapid Deployability Outlined By Air Force Special Ops Command​

https://www.twz.com/air/plan-to-tes...ity-outlined-by-air-force-special-ops-command

 

[TomcatViP]

Interesting that they are pushing the boundaries of COIN toward more classical warfare with it complementing other platforms like the A-10.

 

[isayyo2]

Interesting that they are pushing the boundaries of COIN toward more classical warfare with it complementing other platforms like the A-10.

SOCOM trying to stay relevant in peer/near peer conflicts IMO

 

[Robert]

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Today, Air Force Special Operations Command released an Accident Investigation Board report on an OA-1K Skyraider II forced landing that occurred Oct. 23, 2025, in Oklahoma City, OK. The aircraft and crew were assigned to the 492nd Special Operations Wing and operated by the 17th Special Operations Squadron out of Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK, home of the 137th Special Operations Wing.

The AIB President found by a preponderance of the evidence, the mishap pilot’s unintended activation of the fuel shutoff valve caused the mishap, which isolated the fuel supply from the aircraft firewall, starving the engine of fuel in flight.

Additionally, the AIB President found by a preponderance of the evidence the following three factors substantially contributed to the mishap: Mishap Pilot task saturation, communication challenges and ineffective crew resource management, and ineffective task prioritization.

AFSOC releases OA-1K Accident Investigation Board report

 

[TomcatViP]

Like they say, sh*t happens.
It questions the fact of putting jet pilots right into those airplanes where systems automation is more... Rugged to say the least.

Obviously, you are not going to attract experienced fighter jokey if they have to be back in a Cessna for conversion training before hitting the Skyraider II, but wouldn't it makes sense? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to safeguard those squadron to ex-rotary wings pilot?

 

[yasotay]

I would have thought the idea of wearing t-shirts and bib overalls would have been the attraction. John Deere hat is optional.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Obviously, you are not going to attract experienced fighter jokey if they have to be back in a Cessna for conversion training before hitting the Skyraider II, but wouldn't it makes sense? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to safeguard those squadron to ex-rotary wings pilot?

Best bet is likely to convert A-10 pilots, for as long as that lasts. Then you're going to have to decide how you want to source AFSOC Armed Overwatch pilots. Personally, I'd say offer conversion to the Osprey pilots.