Meet the U.S. Military’s Newest Attack Plane: The AT-802U Sky Warden
Recently, it was announced that L3Harris won the Armed Overwatch program and would supply 75 x AT-802U ground attack aircraft for the US Special Operations Command. Now I know what you are thinking…. It looks like a crop duster and you would be correct.
The Versatile Sky Warden
The Sky Warden is basically an Air Tractor AT-802, which has been heavily modified for military operations. Now you have to remember, the Air Tractor was already designed to fly at low levels and operate from unpaved runways in remote areas. Which kinda makes it perfect for what SOCOM plans to do with them.
They would basically be small attack aircraft which could be used to support special forces teams on the ground. While operating from hastily created airfields near the front, much in the same way the venerable A-10 has been used but not cost as much to operate.
~NC
