U.S. Media: New U.S. Attack Aircraft May Have Quick Assembly and Disassembly Capability
According to a report by Reference News Network on May 29, U.S. military officials recently stated at the "Special Operations Forces Week" event that the Air Force Special Operations Command is testing whether the OA-1K attack aircraft, named "Air Striker"-2 (as shown), can be disassembled and loaded into a cargo plane, and then reassembled on the battlefield.
The report states that the single-engine propeller-driven OA-1K aircraft is a military variant of the "Air Tractor" AT-802 agricultural spraying aircraft. Its design aims to provide aerial surveillance capabilities for isolated special operations teams, capable of taking off from rudimentary dirt runways and providing on-demand fire support to ground forces with minimal logistical support.
Robert Wilson, head of the Armed Aerial Surveillance Division of the Air Force Special Operations Command, said, "This is essentially an aerial 'Swiss Army knife' capability."
Wilson stated in a press release, "The ability to quickly disassemble and reassemble means that within hours, this aircraft can be loaded into a C-5 or C-17 transport aircraft and deployed around the world. With the OA-1K, 'anywhere, anytime, anyplace' is not just a slogan, but a practical combat capability."
Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Mike Conley added that the OA-1K "provides a unique modular solution for a wide range of operations, including armed aerial surveillance, at a cost that is only a fraction of other platforms."
The Air Force Special Operations Command is strongly promoting the modular "Air Striker"-2 attack aircraft, claiming it is a more cost-effective airframe platform capable of undertaking multiple missions.
Wilson stated that the Air Force currently has 18 "Air Striker"-2 attack aircraft, with expectations to "add a few more" by October.
This aircraft is currently deployed at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma and will eventually be stationed at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. (Translated by Liu Xiaoyan)
The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command is testing the OA-1K aircraft, which can be disassembled for transport in C-5 or C-17 aircraft and rapidly reassembled for deployment. Currently, 18 OA-1K aircraft are in service, with plans to increase this number by October. The aircraft is designed to support isolated special operations teams with air surveillance and fire support from austere airstrips.
- The OA-1K aircraft can be disassembled and transported in C-5 or C-17 aircraft.
- It is designed for rapid deployment and support of special operations teams.
- The U.S. Air Force currently has 18 OA-1K aircraft, with plans to increase this number by October.
- The aircraft provides a modular solution for various operations at a lower cost than other platforms.
- The testing was reported during the Special Operations Forces Week event.