L3 gets Armed Overwatch

U.S. Special Operations Command has awarded a contract for its Armed Overwatch program, selecting L3 Harris Technologies’ AT-802U Sky Warden as the winner of its competition for a low-cost aircraft to fly surveillance and strikes in austere locations, the combatant command announced Aug. 1. The deal could be worth up to $3 billion and will include 75 aircraft along with training systems, mission planning systems, support equipment, spares, and logistics support. Initial operating capability is expected in fiscal year 2026, with full operating capability following in 2029. L3 Harris unveiled Sky Warden in May 2021 as part of a collaboration with aircraft manufacturer Air Tractor. The companies claimed that the aircraft, based on Air Tractor’s agricultural AT-802 airframe, features the largest payload capacity of any single-engine turboprop aircraft. Sky Warden was selected as one of five finalists for the Armed Overwatch program, with flight demonstrations taking place throughout 2021 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Sky Warden will replace the Air Force’s U-28 Draco fleet and will be both an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft and one that is capable of conducting light strikes in permissive environments. It beat out Leidos’ Bronco II, MAG Aerospace’s MC-208 Guardian, Textron Aviation Defense’s AT-6E Wolverine, and Sierra Nevada Corp.’s MC-145B Wily Coyote. (Source: Air Force Magazine, Business Wire, 08/01/22) The Bronco II would have been built in Crestview, Fla. For background story, see the April 2021 issue of Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, page 3. Previous: Budget has funds for aircraft; Eglin Overwatch test upcoming.