L3Harris and Israel Aerospace Industries Jointly Pursue the Israeli Light-Attack Aircraft Program
L3Harris Technologies and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have joined forces to pursue Israel’s new Light-Attack Aircraft program with a customized variant of the Sky Warden™, dubbed the Blue Sky Warden. The partnership blends L3Harris’ proven Sky Warden platform—known for its endurance and cost efficiency—with IAI’s advanced mission systems and integration expertise, delivering a purpose-built solution for the Israeli Air Force.
Under the agreement, the Blue Sky Warden, a heavily modified Air Tractor AT-802U, will feature an IAI open-architecture mission computer hosting Israeli-specific software and capabilities, while IAI will lead integration, flight testing, and certification with the Ministry of Defense. The collaboration aims to provide Israel with a uniquely tailored, high-survivability light-attack aircraft designed for ISR, precision strike, and multi-mission adaptability.
“We are excited to collaborate on this important program with L3Harris,” said Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO. “By combining IAI’s cutting-edge systems with L3Harris’ Sky Warden platform, we’re delivering a tailored solution that meets Israel’s evolving defense needs.” Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris, echoed the sentiment: “This partnership allows us to provide a variant that delivers best-in-class endurance, payload, and survivability.”
The Sky Warden—L3Harris’ commercial version of the OA-1K Skyraider II now in production for U.S. Special Operations Command—continues to expand its global reach. With the Blue Sky Warden, the platform’s proven versatility is poised to support one of the world’s most technologically advanced air forces, reinforcing its position as the go-to light-attack aircraft for modern, multi-domain operations.