The U.S. Air Force’s newest light attack and reconnaissance aircraft, the OA-1K Skyraider II, is undergoing developmental testing at Eglin Air Force Base as part of its path toward operational service within Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
According to the Air Force, the aircraft is being evaluated by the 96th Test Wing in partnership with U.S. Special Operations Command to verify its airworthiness and validate manufacturer L3Harris’ performance claims. The effort also includes mission-effectiveness assessments to determine how well the aircraft performs in austere and remote environments, where AFSOC personnel often operate.
The OA-1K Skyraider II is designed as a cost-effective, crewed aircraft capable of supporting special operations forces in geographically isolated regions. It is equipped for mission sets that include close air support, precision strike, and armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). The platform is based on the rugged AT-802 airframe and has been adapted for military use with integrated sensors and weapons systems.
One of the Skyraider II’s most distinctive features is its tailwheel landing gear—a configuration not seen on an active-duty U.S. Air Force aircraft in over 50 years. This unusual design element required the test team to develop new evaluation methods tailored to the aircraft’s landing characteristics.
“There was quite a bit that went into this, from making sure we were compliant on the regulatory side, to ensuring we had the proper operations support for the Skyraider II,” said Maj. Stephen Wakefield of the 96th Test Wing.
Due to the unique configuration, Air Force pilots received additional training using the Skyraider II’s civilian counterpart, the AT-802, to gain proficiency with tailwheel aircraft handling. The Air Force says this type of training was essential to safely operate the aircraft during its early evaluation phase.
Maj. Jacob Marsh, a test pilot with the 96th TW, said flying the OA-1K has been both demanding and rewarding. “Flying the OA-1K has been a rewarding experience and certainly something that has required me to bring my skills to work every day,” Marsh said. “The fun of flying it is just a perk of the job.”
Marsh, who previously flew un-augmented UH-1N helicopters at the United States Naval Test Pilot School, noted the coordination required in the OA-1K shares similarities with rotary-wing operations, particularly at lower airspeeds.
The test campaign has so far included evaluations of human factors, handling qualities, and austere landing capabilities. Future trials will involve weapons release and sensor performance tests.
The manufacturer, L3Harris, states the aircraft can fly at 245 miles per hour at 10,000 feet and has a range of 1,500 miles at an altitude of 8,000 feet.
The Skyraider II is being positioned as a rugged, flexible platform that can operate from unprepared runways and support combat operations where more complex and expensive aircraft may be unavailable or unsustainable. This matches AFSOC’s need for adaptable aircraft in environments where logistics are limited and risk is high.
While the Skyraider II is not intended to replace high-performance fighters or dedicated ISR platforms, it offers commanders a versatile tool to support missions ranging from overwatch and target identification to rapid strike against time-sensitive threats—all while operating from forward locations with minimal infrastructure.