Armed Overwatch Winner - U.S. Special Operations Command has selected the AT-802U Sky Warden, developed by L3 Harris Communications and Air Tractor, for SOCOM's Armed Overwatch program. Photo by L3 Harris.
The US Special Operations Command awarded the contract for its Armed Overwatch program, selecting L3 Harris Technologies' AT-802U Sky Warden as the winner in its competition for the lowest-cost aircraft to fly reconnaissance and attack in difficult areas, the military announced in August. 1.
Armed Overwatch Winner
The contract could be worth up to $3 billion and will include 75 aircraft as well as training systems, mission planning systems, support equipment, missiles and logistical support. First operating capacity is expected in fiscal year 2026, with full operating capacity after 2029.
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"Armed Overwatch responds to the critical need for U.S. Special Operations Command to conduct multiple missions around the world in support of the National Defense Strategy," SOCOM Director Gen. Richard D. Clarke said in a statement. "This strong and robust platform will operate in the most challenging environments and harsh environments around the world to keep our Special Operations Forces on the ground."
L3 Harris launched the Sky Warden in May 2021 as part of a partnership with aircraft manufacturer Air Tractor. The companies say the aircraft, based on Air Tractor's AT-802 agricultural airframe, features the largest payload of any single-engine turboprop aircraft. This aircraft has also been modified for firefighting operations.
Sky Warden was selected as one of five finalists for the Armed Overwatch program that month, with a demonstration flight taking place in 2021 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
The demonstrator will now be converted "immediately" into a production system and handed over to SOCOM for weapons system testing, L3 Harris said in a press release. It is expected to take six months, followed by production beginning in 2023, starting at the Air Tractor facility in Texas, and then with modifications taking place at the L3 Harris facility in Oklahoma. Initial mass production of the lower tier will consist of six aircraft.
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The Sky Warden will replace the Air Force's Draco U-28 fleet and will be both a reconnaissance, reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft as well as a beacon capable of shining a light in the airspace. It beat Leidos' Bronco II, MAG Aerospace MC-208 Guardian, Textron Aviation Defense AT-6E Wolverine, and Sierra Nevada Corp. MC-145B Wily Coyote.
Testifying to Congress in April, Air Force Special Operations Command Lt. Gene. James C. "Jim" Slife said the Armed Overwatch program is designed to reduce the need for so-called "air stacks" for specific single-mission operations. fly together over the target area.
In particular, the aircraft will likely be used to combat terrorist threats, often in conjunction with ground forces.
"The idea of the Armed Overwatch platform is [that] its capabilities are modular and so you can outfit the aircraft with a robust sensor set that goes beyond what's available with most dedicated ISR platforms today. Or you can outfit the platform with a robust armor suit," said Slife to legislators. "Depending on the mission, and obviously, the Armed Overwatch platform is not a panacea for all technical situations that ground forces may face. But there is what we imagine to be an ongoing struggle—a formidable organization it seems. , we think it's a wise investment." .”
Meet The Mc 145b Wily Coyote Armed Special Ops Transport Plane
In a release announcing the contract award, SOCOM highlighted the Sky Warden's ability to carry modular payloads, its low operating costs and its ability to operate from difficult terrain.
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Any cookies that may not be necessary for the website to function and are used directly to collect user personal data through analytics, ads, other embedded content are called non-essential cookies. It is mandatory to obtain user consent before using these cookies on your website. The Armed Overwatch program is a U.S.-initiated effort. Special Operations Command to buy up to 75 manned, fixed-wing aircraft for close air support, precision strikes and ISR. mission.
SOCOM plans to use this system as a replacement for the U-28A Draco aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft in remote areas. The U-28As will soon reach the end of their service life, so the Armed Overwatch program is underway quickly, with the goal of selecting designs, retraining crews, and providing new aircraft without causing "decrease in numbers on the battlefield.."
L3harris' Sky Warden Wins Socom's Armed Overwatch Effort [1440x960]
Armed Overwatch and its program began in contrast to the Light Air Support program, a US Air Force competition to select turboprop attack aircraft for use by the Afghan Air Force, not the US military.
The current operations of Iraqi Freedom and Freedom show that US special forces are interested in monitoring aircraft that can fly out of airports that are more complex than those required for modern military aircraft. To meet this need, in 2006, the Air Force Special Operations Command purchased a fleet of 28 Pilatus PC-12 turboprop commercial aircraft, which were modified, loaded with ssor and communications equipment, and designated U-28A.
From 2009 to 2020, the U.S. The Air Force has been toying with the idea of purchasing a small fleet of Light Attack / Armed Reconnaissance aircraft to provide air support to ground forces during COIN. In addition to completing intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions, the proposed aircraft will be able to complete air strikes against special forces and conventional forces at a fraction of the cost of mass fighters (such as the F-15E and F-16), jet-powered attack aircraft (such as the A -10), or stealth fighters (such as the F-22 and F-35). In December
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