L3Harris is converting the first two AirTractor AT-802s to the special operations OA-1K armed overwatch aircraft ahead of planned government verification tests.
Although Hornet production is forecast to end in 3-5 years, Boeing officials seem confident that a new generation of fighter production soon will begin.
Under new leadership and with increased scrutiny, the U.S. Air Force wants to make ABMS operational with new awards and a different approach to testing.
As the USAF looks to develop uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft to fly with future fighters, the service is also rethinking how it organizes these fleets.