AT-802U Trainer Aircraft

Air Force Special Operations Command received two AT-802U trainer aircraft at Hurlburt Field, Florida on June 28, 2024. These aircraft will be used to train test pilots and initial cadre in a representative tail wheel aircraft in preparation for the missionized Armed Overwatch (OA-1K) variant. The OA-1K is a low-cost, reliable, multirole, small-to-medium size aircraft system to support geographically isolated special operations personnel. The aircraft will perform close air support, precision strike, armed intelligence, and surveillance and reconnaissance in austere and permissive environments. The multirole nature of the system allows USSOCOM to conduct cost-effective irregular warfare operations, freeing other assets and resources, to better enable the Joint Force to focus on the pacing challenge identified in the National Defense Strategy. Training with the T-802U trainer aircraft began at Hurlburt Field the week of July 8, 2024.