Agricultural Plane Transformed into an Attack Aircraft for US Special Forces

In partnership with L3Harris Technologies, the American airplane manufacturer Air Tractor has been chosen to supply the attack plane AT-802U Sky Warden for the US Special Operations Command.

The Sky Warden is an armed version of the AT-802 agricultural plane. This allows the aircraft to carry multiple sensors and up to 2,700 kg of combat payload, yet at a low operating cost.

The aircraft will be used in “irregular warfare” aerial operations supporting the special forces of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, striking ground targets or engaged in reconnaissance and advanced air control missions.

The contract stipulates the production of an initial batch of 75 aircraft, set to begin production in 2023. The assembly process will start at the Air Tractor facility in Olney, Texas, and conclude at the L3Harris industrial unit in Tulsa, Oklahoma.