SOF Week plans aviation demonstration space for 2026 conference – Flight Global
SOF Week is taking to the air. Beginning this year, the annual special operations conference will feature a dedicated aerial demonstration venue—the new Special Air Warfare Zone—designed to showcase emerging aviation and airborne warfare technologies in live, real-world conditions.
Located at Peter O. Knight general aviation airport in downtown Tampa, the new zone was created in response to growing demand from the SOF community for large-scale, live flight demonstrations. Throughout the May 19–21 conference, exhibitors will have one-hour demonstration blocks to present capabilities ranging from small uncrewed aerial systems and airborne electronic warfare to aerial ISR and counter-UAS technologies.
“This dedicated zone was developed to meet growing demand across the special operations forces community for live, large-scale air and aviation demonstrations,” SOF Week organizers said in announcing the addition. The move reflects a broader push to give operators hands-on exposure to technologies that can transition quickly from concept to combat.
During the 2025 event, L3Harris used the new venue to display its OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft—highlighting the kind of platforms the Special Air Warfare Zone was built to support. L3Harris is currently under contract with U.S. Special Operations Command to deliver up to 75 Skyraider IIs, derived from the rugged Air Tractor AT-802, reinforcing SOF Week’s growing role as a proving ground for next-generation special operations airpower.