L3Harris has demonstrated the integration of its Red Wolf launched effects vehicle onto the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL aircraft, showing how the two systems could be paired to expand operational flexibility for future missions, the company stated.
The test fit builds on earlier integration work and is intended to show the platform’s capacity to accommodate systems with similar size, weight, and power characteristics as mission needs evolve. L3Harris said the demonstration reflects growing interest from special operations forces in platforms capable of deploying long-range cruise missiles and launched effects to extend operational reach.
Quinlan Lyte, President of Advanced Effects at L3Harris, was quoted as saying: “Launched effects like Red Wolf are designed to integrate across a range of platforms to give operators more flexibility in how they execute the mission, whether that’s kinetic or non-kinetic effects.”
He added: “Efforts like this highlight how those capabilities can be extended on adaptable aircraft such as SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL.”
The SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL is designed to operate from remote locations and unimproved runways, providing endurance and payload capacity for extended operations. L3Harris said that pairing the aircraft with launched effects such as Red Wolf would allow operators to deliver effects at distance while maintaining a persistent overhead presence.
The company described the approach as reflecting a shift towards more distributed operations. The aircraft features a modular open systems architecture that supports the addition of new capabilities over time, while an integrated flight and mission management system helps reduce crew workload. Red Wolf has already been demonstrated across multiple air and ground platforms, according to L3Harris.
The Red Wolf system was recently selected by the U.S. Navy for its Precision Attack Strike Munition programme, and the U.S. Marine Corps has conducted low-altitude live fire demonstrations with the system from an AH-1Z Viper helicopter.
At first glance I thought it was a JU87 Stuka, with that cockpit/canopy design
I’m curious what aircraft that is, looks familiar, very angular.
Duh…Google…Air Tractor L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II
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$2m for the basic aircraft. The USMC order amounts to $40m per fully converted military version.
Crazy money for something that could only operate in permissive environments.
The latest combo is for an aircraft capable of operating from austere landing strips and launching 200nm range attack missiles.
Counter insurgency?
Maybe anti-narcotics too
Horses for Courses !/
What does that $40M include in terms of spares, training, maintenance etc. though? The capital cost of an airframe can often be the *cheapest* part of a capability.
And as Paul T says – horses for courses. If you need to operate in a more permissive environment then burning airframe hours on your exquisite fast jet is just wasteful. And that’s before you even get into the logistics of basing and maintaining an aircraft to be able to have it where you need it.
The Sky Raider is quite niche, but that doesn’t mean it’s not useful.
Crop Sprayers !
Maybe Agent Orange will make a comeback.
Thats why it looks so familiar, it’s an Air Tractor AT802 used for fire fighting and crop spraying. The angle of the picture made me think that unit behind the cockpit was twin rudders unlike the AT802. Any thoughts what that tower is, radar?
Yes, exactly, great rugged little stunt type aircraft, Ideal for low lever tight places.
The Picture In the article looks a bit odd, not sure If that Tower Is actually on the aircraft.
Just took a look on the website and It does have that tower.
Blanking plate for the rear turret a la Boulton Paul Defiant. ( this one is twin, not four gun) 🙂