When discussing options for organizing air defense against long-range UAVs, I mentioned the use of light-engine aviation in cooperation with a network of balloon radars deep inside Russian territory. Many such drones are converted light propeller aircraft. One can also recall the not very successful attempts of the Ukrainians to fire hunting rifles from the open cockpit of a sporty Yak-52 at Russian medium-altitude reconnaissance UAVs.
It would be logical to save time in creating a light-engine interceptor based on long-established technologies if it is necessary to catch up with and hit a slow-moving drone at close range in an absolutely safe situation. It would be possible to attract masters of sport aviation as pilots. If the network of already existing airfields under unified control is used, the number of such interceptors should not be excessive.
All this can be credited to the ideas of a dilettante. But on April 3 at Hurlburt Field in Florida, the first OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft was handed over to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command’s 17th Squadron. This light attack aircraft has been officially accepted into service and crew training has begun. The Skyraider is the military version of the Air Tractor AT-802 agricultural aircraft. There are plans to purchase 75 Skyraider II aircraft.
In fact, jet aviation has hidden behind propeller-driven combat aircraft, which have gotten a second life in the last 20 years. Their task is to fight against armed formations of guerrilla type, which do not have serious air defense. Today, the Brazilian EMB-314 Super Tucano is in service with various countries, the Textron AT-6 Wolverine is under construction in America, and the OV-10 Bronco has not yet been retired. Emirates unveiled the Calidus B-350 turboprop of the Calidus LLC group (Brazilian development) at the Dubai show.
On the eve of the Afghan war, the USSR also tried to adapt the Yak-52B sports Yak-52B as an attack aircraft. However, they were unsuccessful – a sport airplane has innate properties incompatible with an attack aircraft. But it is not without reason that the Pentagon is buying 75 OA-1K Skyraider II. It was designed and built in just two years. The lightweight rotary-wing interceptor and attack aircraft will be in high demand in the army, which has been assigned the functions of a colonial expedition: Z-bloggers regularly publish invitations to join the African Corps. It is believed that Surovikin is in command there.
This is a fascinating look at how old-school aviation is finding new life in modern conflicts. I never thought crop dusters could become military assets! The combination of radar balloons and light aircraft is really clever.
The return of propeller-driven military planes is unexpected but makes a lot of sense for certain missions. This article explains the trend very well. Thanks for sharing such detailed insights!
Great article! Using light aircraft to intercept drones seems both cost-effective and innovative. I’m curious how effective these planes are in real combat situations, especially against more advanced UAVs.
It’s amazing to see the parallels between today’s tactics and those from the early days of aviation. History really does repeat itself! I’d love to read more about the technical upgrades these planes receive.