On 27 February 2025, US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) revealed the name for the OA-1K to be Skyraider II.

 

As expected, and starting a new charme offensive, AFSOC's newest airframe, the OA-1K, is now officially the Skyraider II. The naming renews the rugged and versatile nature of the single-seat Douglas A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft, which was used by different US forces in the past. On 26 September 2024, Scramble first wrote about how US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) and AFSOC are coping with critics about their new armed overwatch plane.

 

The Air Tractor/L3Harris Skyraider II is a cost-effective crewed aircraft that is adaptable across the spectrum of conflicts. It will have the ability to support special operations forces as well as the Joint Force through Close Air Support (CAS), precision strike, and armed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).

 

The Skyraider II is a lean, agile, modular, and hardened aircraft but one of the most distinguishing feature, like its namesake, is its tailwheel. This prominent feature gives the Skyraider II the capability for short takeoffs and landings as well as the ability to operate from unimproved or austere airfields. While OA-1Ks have been tested at Hurlburt Field (FL), before they moved to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, situated near Oklahoma City (OK), more Skyraider IIs are expected to arrive at Hurlburt during Spring 2025.