L3Harris Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding with Israel Aerospace Industries to jointly pursue Israel’s light-attack aircraft program using the Sky Warden platform. The companies said Wednesday that the collaboration will deliver a new variant called Blue Sky Warden, tailored to meet requirements of the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Air Force.
IAI will supply an open-architecture mission computer to host Israeli-specific software and integrate mission equipment into the aircraft. The company will also lead flight testing and airworthiness activities in coordination with Israel’s defense authorities.
“We are excited to collaborate on this important program with L3Harris, a long-standing and trusted partner,” said Boaz Levy, president and CEO of IAI. “By combining IAI’s systems and expertise in mission systems integration with L3Harris’ Sky Warden platform, we are delivering a tailored solution that meets the evolving needs of the Ministry of Defense and Israeli Air Force.”
L3Harris developed Sky Warden as a low-cost, high-endurance ISR/strike aircraft, based on the commercial OA-1K Skyraider II. The company partnered with Air Tractor on the system, which is now moving into low-rate initial production under a potential $3 billion U.S. Special Operations Command program.