US Special Operations Command Now Wants A Fleet Of Light Attack Aircraft Fleet

The Air Force in October 2019 announced plans to purchase small numbers of AT-6 (shown at top) and A-29 aircraft (shown at bottom) as part of its light attack experiment. Air Force photos.

Task & Purpose: SOCOM is eyeing a fleet of light attack aircraft for 'armed overwatch'

U.S. Special Operations Command is looking to pick up 75 light attack aircraft to conduct "armed overwatch" missions in conjunction with ground forces, according to new solicitation.

SOCOM plans on holding several industry days with defense contractors in March for the new Armed Overwatch program which is intended to provide U.S. special operations forces with "deployable and sustainable manned aircraft systems" for "close air support, precision strike, and SOF intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in austere and permissive environments," according to the Feb. 3 solicitation.

Based on the outcome of those industry days, SOCOM intends to then award a follow-on indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to furnish the command with an expected total of 75 light attack aircraft over a five-year base ordering period, according to the solicitation.

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More News On U.S. Special Operations Command Now Wanting A Fleet Of Light Attack Aircraft Fleet

SOCOM Announces Plans to Buy 75 ‘Armed Overwatch’ Planes -- Air Force Magazine
US Special Operations Command Now Wants its Own Light Attack Aircraft Fleet -- Military.com
SOCOM seeking Armed Overwatch planes (Video) -- Defense News