L3Harris Technologies and Air Tractor announce Sky Warden aircraft
Sky Warden is based on the rugged and capable Air Tractor AT-802, which features the largest payload capacity of any single turbo engine aircraft. (Photo: L3Harris Technologies)
L3Harris Technologies and Air Tractor have announced a collaboration to produce the AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft.
Sky Warden is an affordable, production-ready aircraft designed for airborne ISR and other missions in extreme combat environments.
The aircraft is based on the rugged Air Tractor AT-802, which features the largest payload capacity of any single-engine turboprop aircraft.
It is equipped with L3Harris’ family of communications, sensors and airborne ISR solutions. The platform is backed by the company’s turnkey ISR operation experience.
The multi-mission platform provides the operator agility and flexibility to identify, track and react to counter threats.
It combines the capabilities of larger ISR with that of armed aircraft.
It is capable of takeoff and landing on unimproved airstrips, allowing the aircraft to be deployed and co-located with special mission operators.
President of Air Tractor, Jim Hirsch commented ‘Air Tractor aircraft were developed precisely to operate in austere environments with limited infrastructure’.
Sky Warden combines the heritage of the A-1E Sky Raider and the U-28, which uses the callsign ‘Warden’, to collapse the stack, providing one aircraft capable of multiple mission roles.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Air Warfare
-
Poland approved for another buy of AMRAAMs under $1.3 billion deal
The deal is for 400 AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). It increases the stocks the country already has and follows a US$1.7 billion order for 745 missiles approved in March last year.
-
Italian Army receives first UH-169D light utility helicopter
The delivery is the first in a total of 25 helicopters on order, with all deliveries expected to be completed by 2027.
-
MBDA backs British startup to continue development on heavy-lift drone
The investment will bring together the Hybrid Drones and MBDA to enable the former to further develop its Hydra 400 UAV, previously showcased by the British Army.
-
Norway receives final F-35 aircraft and unveils first Joint Strike Missile delivery
Work has begun on stockpiling the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), following the first missile’s delivery from Kongsberg and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
-
US Air Force has big plans for the F-47
The USAF Chief of Staff has claimed that the sixth-generation fighter would allow for guaranteeing “air superiority for generations to come”.
-
India and France seal Rafale-M deal as plans for local assembly advance
Inter-governmental agreement signed as final assembly line plans inch closer.