The US Special Operations Command has confirmed it has no plans for a direct replacement for the U-28A Draco, a surveillance plane used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The command will retire eight U-28A aircraft in 2027 as part of its phased plan to divest all manned ISR platforms by 2029.
The U-28 is a militarized version of the Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprop that carries various sensors. AFSOC currently has around 30 U-28s in its inventory.
The retirement of the U-28 could mark the end of dedicated crewed ISR aircraft within the US special operations community. The command is investing in uncrewed capabilities, including air-launched drones and loitering munitions, to mitigate threats posed by enemy air defense systems.
