AURORA, Colorado—L3Harris sees a need to increase the U.S. program of record for its OA-1K Skyraider II for special operations, along with international customers, as it tries out new weapons, envelope expansion and additional missions for the tail dragger.

U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has a program of record for 75 of the aircraft, though budgeted for 62. Thirty-nine of the aircraft are now on contract, with current budget discussions outlining the next production year.

Jason Lambert, president of the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sector at L3Harris, told reporters Feb. 23 that he sees a double-digit increase from the 75 total fleet bolstered by an ongoing RAND Corp. study evaluating prospects for the aircraft. He spoke at the Air and Space Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium here.

The OA-1K came out of the Armed Overwatch program for SOCOM, starting as a push to field a relatively cheap close air support platform to support special operators. With the retirement of the MC-12 Liberty and Javaman fleet, and the impending retirement of the U-28 Draco, its roll is expanding into more surveillance and reconnaissance.

For example, Lambert says the company recently demonstrated the use of a signals intelligence pod on the aircraft to take on that role. The aircraft’s baseline is to carry one pod for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rockets, which has become a key capability for counter UAS. Lambert says there is a plan to increase carriage to 35 rockets, and potentially doubling that eventually.

The company is also outfitting the modified crop duster to carry GBU-12 500-lb. laser-guided bombs. It is also evaluating the capability to carry the GAU-19 50-cal. gun pod, sparked by international interest in carrying a gun.

The OA-1K has recently been cleared to operate at 18,000 ft., and L3Harris is in the process of expanding the envelope to 25,000 ft.

One concern raised regularly with the aircraft is survivability, because it flies low and slow and can be more susceptible to incoming fire. The aircraft has missile warning systems and flare dispensers, along with armor to protect the pilot, who cannot eject or bail out of the aircraft. Lambert says L3Harris has internally explored the ability to add its own Viper Shield electronic warfare/electronic attack pod for additional protection.

In addition to growing the U.S. program of record, Lambert says the company sees an international demand that is double that of the existing American fleet size. Last year, L3Harris and Israeli Aerospace Industries reached an agreement to pitch the aircraft for that nation. Lambert also says he sees potential law enforcement use of the aircraft on the southern border.

L3Harris in the third quarter of 2025 completed the transfer of production of the aircraft from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Waco, Texas, he says.