OA-1K Skyraider II — The old Approach in the new war
At first glance, this is a step back: instead of supersonic fighters, it's a slow turboprop aircraft with wings like grandpa's. But the OA-1K Skyraider II from L3Harris is not an anachronism, but a conscious choice. It is designed for those areas where drones and helicopters are operating under fire, and jet planes are too expensive and clumsy. It's a machine for dirty, long—range warfare-with endurance, firepower, and the ability to land on short ground runs.
And despite the customer's hesitations, L3Harris is confidently moving forward.
SOCOM has slowed down, but L3Harris is not stopping
The Special Operations Command (SOCOM) recently reduced the volume of short-term purchases of OA-1K. This is due to a review of priorities and budget adjustments. But it's not canceling the program — it's slowing down. And L3Harris understands this. Instead of suspending assembly, the company is ramping up production at its Birmingham, Texas plant.
They are preparing not for the current demand, but for the future. Because they know that special forces will need such vehicles anyway.
Texas Manufacturing: Getting ready for 2026
The expansion of the line in Texas is not just an increase in the number of planes. These are modernization of processes, personnel training, and setting up supply chains. L3Harris is betting that by 2026, the Armed Overwatch program will reach full combat readiness (IOC), and then the need for OA-1K will increase dramatically.
Now they are not just assembling airplanes, they are building a system capable of releasing them quickly and reliably when needed.
Why do special Forces still need turboprop vehicles?
In Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and North Africa, where there are no full—fledged airfields, where the enemy is spread across the desert, and support is far away, turboprop aircraft proved to be out of competition. The OA-1K can circle an area for hours, see targets through optics, aim strikes and, if necessary, engage in battle itself — with machine guns, bombs, missiles.
In addition, it is cheaper to operate than a jet attack aircraft and can fly where drones are vulnerable to air defenses. It is called a "drone-getter" — a machine that works where drones can no longer cope.
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