The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has selected the aircraft for the Armed Overwatch program. It was the Sky Warden model.
The number of aircraft was not specified in the press release.It is only known that the contract is unlimited. Its amount will be up to $3 billion. Initially, Sky Warden aircraft will be assembled at the manufacturer's Air Tractor facility. L3Harris specialists then modify them to meet the requirements of the Armed Overwatch program. Aircraft production will begin in 2023.
What is Armed Overwatch?
This is a Special Operations Command program.USA, which aims to create a fleet of universal aircraft. They must be mobile and suitable for deployment in austere environments. Such aircraft are planned to be used for air support, precision strikes and fire adjustments for other weapons.
Why is Sky Warden interesting?
The Sky Warden is an aircraft based on the AirThe Tractor AT-802, which has the largest payload capacity of any single-engine turboprop aircraft. Sky Warden is equipped with a variety of advanced sensors and onboard solutions from L3Harris. Also special about the Sky Warden is the ability to take off and land on poorly paved runways.
Source: L3Harris Technologies