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Red Wolf launched effects vehicle integrated on Sky Warden

L3Harris recently showcased the ability to integrate its Red Wolf launched effects vehicle on its Sky Warden aircraft, highlighting both platforms’ modularity and ease of integration for evolving mission requirements including kinetic strike, electronic warfare (EW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

“Our customers demand a lean, agile aircraft that can fly, take off and land anywhere, anytime, outfitted with a wide range of payloads,” said Jason Lambert, President, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Space and Mission Systems, L3Harris, in a company news release. “Bringing together Red Wolf and Sky Warden demonstrates the rapid reconfiguration and customization of key L3Harris capabilities.”

This integration concept underscores the engineering prowess across the company to meet customer demands to defeat adversary threats with adaptable, open standards-based solutions.

Launched effects vehicle

Red Wolf is a multi-domain kinetic vehicle for long-range precision strikes. Like its Green Wolf EW counterpart, it offers extended loiter capability and standoff range engagement.

Red Wolf extends the range of weapons launched from vertical take-off and landing platforms to proven distances of 200 nautical miles, far exceeding the single-digit range of other rocket-launched missiles. The system’s beyond line-of-sight communication and autonomous over-the-horizon engagements will dramatically increase the number of aircraft available for strike missions.

L3Harris fielded Red Wolf systems through the Long-Range Advanced Missile program as part of the Defense Innovation Acceleration program to address critical military needs and validate requirements through operational demonstrations.

OA-1K Skyraider II

Sky Warden, based on the Air Tractor 802, delivers close air support, precision strike and armed ISR while connecting with any joint force network around the world in real time. It offers a small footprint, low cost per flying hour and unmatched flexibility for US and international forces’ current and future missions.

L3Harris is converting its Sky Warden aircraft into US Special Operations Command’s OA-1K Skyraider II light attack platform.

Based on the AT-802, the Skyraider II is a dynamic aircraft that will allow operators to adjust effects for required missions and create dilemmas for our adversaries across the spectrum of armed conflict. In addition to versatility, the Skyraider II requires a much smaller maintenance package and costs less per flying hour than other conventional or other special operations aircraft.

Built for ISR Strike

• Rugged and Reliable – The Air Tractor 802U is designed and built for austere operations
• Effective and Flexible – Combat proven, multi-mission open systems architecture to “collapse the stack,” replacing multiple aircraft with a single aircraft
• Persistence and Payload – 6-hour loiter at 200 nm combat radius; 6,000 lb. flexible combat load-out
• Connected – Robust suite of radios and datalinks providing multiple means for line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications
• Situational Awareness – Ability to host multiple EO/IR, ISR and other sensors
• Affordable and Sustainable – Low production and operating costs, backed by an established global sustainment network
• SOF Heritage – Mature system built on more than 1.3 million hours of ISR and Strike support and upgrades driven by mission operators
• Production-Ready

Photo credit: L3Harris