Light Air Support

Latest in Light Air Support

Each of the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) new OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft has a somewhat unexpected feature in its cockpit.
Light Air Support

OA-1K Skyraider II Has Off-The-Shelf Rifle Sight Mounted In Its Cockpit

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

Current and future operators of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft could use them to shoot down incoming drones, according to manufacturer Embraer.
Light Air Support

A-29 Super Tucano Light Attack Aircraft Being Pitched As Drone Hunter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 12, 2025

An OA-1K, like the one seen in the picture at the top of this story, crashed today.
Light Air Support

Air Force’s Crop Duster Converted Into Attack Plane Crash Lands In Field (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

Leidos has raised the possibility of eventually integrating its Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, in the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft. The roughly 200-pound munition has, so far, been tested from C-130 variants but offers the kinds of capabilities that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is increasingly looking at harnessing.
Light Air Support

Tiny Black Arrow Cruise Missile Demonstrates A Whopping 400-Mile Range

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 24, 2025

The last MC-12W Liberty turboprop surveillance aircraft under U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) umbrella have been retired.
Light Air Support

Last Special Operations MC-12W Surveillance Planes Retired

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 15, 2025

L3Harris Sky Warden test aircraft for the OA-1K Skyraider II program for the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Light Air Support

OA-1K Skyraider II Walk-Around Tour With Its Test Pilot

By Jamie Hunter, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 7, 2025

Can The OA-1K Skyraider II Actually Be Useful In A Pacific Fight?
Light Air Support

Can The OA-1K Skyraider II Actually Be Useful In A Pacific Fight?

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 6, 2025

The first OA-1K light attack aircraft — recently officially named as the Skyraider II — has been delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). While the command welcomed the militarized derivative of the popular Air Tractor AT-802 crop duster, there remain serious questions about how the Air Force will actually make use of the OA-1K, as the service increasingly prepares for future high-end contingencies.
Light Air Support

First OA-1K Skyraider II Handed Over To Air Force Special Operations Command

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has formally dubbed its forthcoming OA-1K light attack aircraft as the Skyraider II.
Light Air Support

OA-1K Light Attack Special Ops Aircraft Officially Named Skyraider II

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 27, 2025

Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet
Light Air Support

Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

Air Force special operations aviators are now training on AT-802U aircraft ahead of the arrival of their first OA-1K Sky warden light attack planes while questions grow about the program's future.
Light Air Support

AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

KAI unveils first images of Polands new FA-50 light fighters
Light Air Support

Poland’s New FA-50 Light Fighter Emerges

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Mar 11, 2023

Korean Air Force Scramble
Light Air Support

First North Korean Drone Intrusion In Five Years Spurs South To Scramble

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 26, 2022

AFSOC_A-29-scaled
Light Air Support

Air Force Wants To Liquidate Its Tiny Light Attack Plane Fleet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 11, 2022

Dozens Of U.S.-Bought Afghan Air Force Aircraft Are Now Orphaned At An Uzbek Airfield
Light Air Support

Dozens Of U.S.-Bought Afghan Air Force Aircraft Are Now Orphaned At An Uzbek Airfield

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 18, 2021

Russia’s Checkmate Light Tactical Fighter Is Officially Unveiled (Updated)
Light Air Support

Russia’s Checkmate Light Tactical Fighter Is Officially Unveiled (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 21, 2021