L3Harris Technologies and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly pursue Israel’s Light-Attack Aircraft program using L3Harris’ Sky Warden platform, the company stated.
The partnership will integrate L3Harris’ low-cost, high-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft with IAI’s mission systems expertise. Under the agreement, the two companies will develop a variant known as Blue Sky Warden, which will feature an IAI open-architecture mission computer, Israeli-specific software, and mission equipment tailored to national requirements.
IAI will lead integration, flight testing, and airworthiness campaigns in collaboration with Israel’s Ministry of Defence and Air Force.
“By combining IAI’s cutting-edge systems and expertise in mission systems integration with L3Harris’ Sky Warden platform, we are delivering a tailored solution that meets the evolving needs of the Ministry of Defense and Israeli Air Force,” said Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI.
Jon Rambeau, President of L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems, added that the collaboration allows the company to deliver a variant specifically suited to Israel’s operational and industrial goals. “The Sky Warden light-attack aircraft delivers the best-in-class endurance, payload and survivability needed for airborne ISR and other missions,” he said.
Sky Warden is the commercial version of the OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft, which L3Harris is currently producing for U.S. Special Operations Command.
Who is going to say it….?
Say what ?
I’m going to do my usual and point out that this is actually a U.S. company based company and the skywarden is a U.S. IP aircraft built in the U.S.. Jon Rambeau is president of the the integrated missions systems division is a division L3harris INC.. when they signed the document they did it with a U.S. and Israeli flag… not a Union Jack in sight or anyone from L3harris technologies LTD ( wholly owned by L3harris INC ).. this a a pure U.S. Israel collaboration that may be aiming to sell stuff to the Uk and even do some work in the UK.