North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco

OV-10 Bronco
A U.S. Air Force OV-10 firing a white phosphorus smoke rocket to mark a ground target
Role	Light attack and observation aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	North American Rockwell
First flight	16 July 1965
Introduction	October 1969
Retired	US (1995)
Status	In limited service
Primary users	United States Marine Corps (historical) United States Air Force (historical) United States Navy (historical) Royal Thai Air Force (historical)
Produced	1965–86
Number built	360

The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. It can carry up to three tons of external munitions, internal loads such as paratroops or stretchers, and can loiter for three or more hours.

Development

Background

The aircraft was initially conceived in the early 1960s through an informal collaboration between WH Beckett and Colonel KP Rice, U.S. Marine Corps, who met at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, and who also happened to live near each other. The original concept was for a rugged, simple, close air support aircraft integrated with forward ground operations. At the time, the U.S. Army was still experimenting with armed helicopters, and the U.S. Air Force was not interested in close air support.

The concept aircraft was to operate from expedient forward air bases using roads as runways. Speed was to be from very slow to medium subsonic, with much longer loiter times than a pure jet. Efficient turboprop engines would give better performance than piston engines. Weapons were to be mounted on the centerline to get efficient unranged aiming like the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and North American F-86 Sabre aircraft. The inventors' favored strafing weapons were self-loading recoilless rifles, which could deliver aimed explosive shells with less recoil than cannons, and a lower per-round weight than rockets. The airframe was to be designed to avoid the back blast.

Beckett and Rice developed a basic platform meeting these requirements, then attempted to build a fiberglass prototype in a garage. The effort produced enthusiastic supporters and an informal pamphlet describing the concept. WH Beckett, who had retired from the Marine Corps, went to work at North American Aviation to sell the aircraft.

Rice states:

The military definition of STOL (500 ft to a 50 ft obstacle) allows takeoff and landing in most of the areas in which limited war might be fought. In addition, the airplane was designed to use roads so that operation would even be possible in jungle areas where clearings are few and far between. As a result the wingspan was to be limited to twenty feet and a heavy trailing arm type landing gear with a tread of 6.5 ft was provided for operation from roads. Float operation was to be feasible...^[1]

...it is quite feasible to design the various components so that it can be disassembled easily and stored in a box that would fit in a 6×6 truck bed together with the equipment needed for re-assembly in the field. It could thus be transported by amphibious shipping and either heli-lifted or driven ashore by a 6×6 truck.^[2]

Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft

A "tri-service" specification for the Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LARA) was approved by the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army and was issued in late 1963. The LARA requirement was based on a perceived need for a new type of "jungle fighting" versatile light attack and observation aircraft. Existing military aircraft in the observation role, such as the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog and Cessna O-2 Skymaster, were perceived as obsolescent, with too slow a speed and too small a load capacity for this flexible role.

The specification called for a twin-engine, two-man aircraft that could carry at least 2,400 pounds (1,100 kg) of cargo, six paratroopers or stretchers, and be stressed for +8 and -3 gs (basic aerobatic ability). It also had to be able to operate from an aircraft carrier, fly at least 350 miles per hour (560 km/h), take off in 800 feet (240 m) and convert to an amphibian. Various armament had to be carried, including four 7.62 mm (0.300 in) machine guns with 2,000 rounds, and external weapons including a 20 mm (0.79 in) gun pod and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

Eleven proposals were submitted, nine of them were: the Grumman Model 134R tandem-seat version of the already fielded U.S. Army's OV-1 Mohawk (the U.S. Marine Corps dropped out of the Mohawk program in 1958), Goodyear GA 39, Beechcraft PD-183, Douglas D-855, Convair Model 48 Charger, Helio 1320, Lockheed CL-760, a Martin design, and the North American Aviation/Rockwell NA-300.

In August 1964, the NA-300 was selected. A contract for seven prototype aircraft was issued in October 1964. Convair protested the decision and built a small-wing prototype of the Model 48 Charger anyway, which first flew on 29 November 1964. This was also a twin-boom aircraft that had a broadly similar layout to the OV-10. The Charger, while capable of outperforming the OV-10 in some respects, crashed on 19 October 1965 after 196 test flights. Convair subsequently dropped out of contention.

The Bronco started flying midway through the Charger's test program on 16 July 1965, and became one of the premier counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft of the next 30 years. It did not achieve Rice's L2 VMA concept because the DoD insisted on 40-foot (12 m) long wings which made it depend on airbases. Rice concludes:

"The original concept of a small, simple aircraft that could operate close to the supported troops had been almost completely eviscerated by the 'system.' The ability to operate from roads (20 ft span and 6.5 tread) had been ignored, and performance compromised by the short 30 ft span, the extra 1,000 lb for the rough field landing gear and another 1,000 lb of electronics. The 'light, simple' airplane also had a full complement of instruments, ejection seats and seven external store stations. The concept of using ground ordnance and a bomb bay had been ignored, although it did have provisions for four M60 [medium] machine guns. In spite of this growth (almost double the size and weight of our home built), the YOV-10 still had great potential. It would not achieve the advantages of integration with the ground scheme of maneuver, but it did have capabilities at the low end of the performance envelope that were still valuable and unique."^[3]

The Bronco performed observation, forward air control, helicopter escort, armed reconnaissance, utility light air transport and limited ground attack. The Bronco has also performed aerial radiological reconnaissance, tactical air observation, artillery and naval gunfire spotting, airborne control of tactical air support operations and front line, low-level aerial photography. A prototype in Vietnam designed to lay smoke was extremely successful, kept in service by evaluators for several months, and only reluctantly released, was not purchased due to a perceived lack of mission.

Possible modernized variant

Boeing has recently put together plans internally to build a modernized, improved version of the Bronco, called the OV-10X,^[4] to satisfy a possible Air Force requirement for a light attack plane.^[5] According to Pentagon and industry officials, while the aircraft would maintain much of its 1960s-vintage rugged external design, the 21st century modernizations would include a computerized glass cockpit, intelligence sensors and smart-bomb-dropping capabilities. Boeing indicates that international interest in restarting production is growing, to compete with other light attack aircraft such as the T-6B Texan II, A-67 Dragon and EMB 314 Super Tucano.

On 3 February 2010, during the Singapore Air Show, Boeing announced that the international interest for the aircraft was such that it would go on with its development even in the case it failed to win the USAF tender for 100 Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance aircraft.^[6]

Design

The OV-10 has a central nacelle containing pilots and cargo, and twin booms containing twin turboprop engines. The visually distinctive item of the aircraft is the combination of the twin booms, with the horizontal stabilizer that connects them.

The aircraft's design supports effective operations from forward bases. The OV-10 can perform short takeoffs and landings, including on aircraft carriers and large deck amphibious assault ships^[7] without using catapults or arresting wires. Further, the OV-10 was designed to take off and land on unimproved sites. Repairs can be made with ordinary tools. No ground equipment is required to start the engines. And, if necessary, the engines will operate on high-octane automobile fuel with only a slight loss of power.^[8]

The aircraft has responsive handling and can fly for 5 1/2 hours with external fuel tanks.^[9] The cockpit has extremely good visibility for a tandem pilot and co-pilot, provided by a wrap-around "greenhouse" that is wider than the fuselage. With the second seat removed, it can carry 3,200 pounds (1,500 kg) of cargo, five paratroopers or two litter patients and an attendant. Empty weight is 6,969 pounds (3,161 kg). Normal operating fueled weight with two crew is 9,908 pounds (4,494 kg). Maximum takeoff weight is 14,446 pounds (6,553 kg).

The bottom of the fuselage contains sponsons or "stub wings" that improve flight performance by decreasing aerodynamic drag underneath the fuselage. The sponsons were mounted horizontally on the prototype. Testing caused them to be redesigned for production aircraft. The downward angle assured that stores carried on the sponsons jettisoned cleanly. Normally four .308 in (7.62 mm) M60C machine guns were carried on the sponsons with the M60Cs accessed through a large forward-opening hatch on the top of each sponson. The sponsons also had four racks to carry bombs, pods or fuel. The wings outboard of the engines contain two additional racks, one per side.

Racked armament in the Vietnam War was usually seven-shot 2.75 in (70 mm) rocket pods with white phosphorus marker rounds or high-explosive rockets, or 5 in (127 mm) four-shot Zuni rocket pods. Bombs, ADSIDS air-delivered/para-dropped unattended seismic sensors, Mk-6 battlefield illumination flares, and other stores were carried as well.

Operational experience showed that there were some weaknesses in the OV-10's design. It is significantly underpowered. This contributed to crashes in Vietnam in sloping terrain because the pilots could not climb fast enough.^[9] While specifications state that the aircraft could reach 26,000 feet (7,900 m), in Vietnam the aircraft could reach only 18,000 feet (5,500 m). Also, no OV-10 pilot survived ditching the aircraft.^[8]

Operational history

The OV-10 served in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy, as well as in the service of a number of other countries. A total of 81 OV-10 Broncos were ultimately lost to all causes during the course of the Vietnam War, with the Air Force losing 64, the Navy 7 and the Marines 10.^[10]

U.S. Marine Corps

The OV-10 was first acquired by the U.S. Marine Corps. Each of the Marine Corps' two observation squadrons (designated VMO) had 18 aircraft – nine OV-10As and nine OV-10Ds night observation aircraft. A Marine Air Reserve observation squadron was also established. The OV-10 operated as a forward air controller and was finally phased out of the Marine Corps in 1995 following its employment during Operation Desert Storm, which also saw the final combat losses of OV-10s by U.S. forces. Among these losses were two USMC OV-10s being shot down due to a lack of effective infrared countermeasures. It was also thought that the slow speed made it more vulnerable to anti-aircraft weapons.^[11] Forward air control passed mostly to ground units with laser designators and digital radios (GFACs) and the twin-seat F/A-18D Hornet (FAC(A)s). Most operational Broncos were reassigned to civil government agencies in the U.S., while some were sold to other countries.

The U.S. Marine Corps YOV-10D Night Observation Gunship System (NOGS) program modified two OV-10As (BuNo 155395 and BuNo 155396) to include a turreted forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, laser target designator and turreted 20 mm (.79 in) XM197 gun slaved to the FLIR aimpoint. NOGS succeeded in Vietnam, but funds to convert more aircraft were not approved. NOGS evolved into the NOS OV-10D, which included a laser designator, but no gun.

U.S. Air Force

The USAF acquired the Bronco primarily as an FAC aircraft. The first combat USAF OV-10As arrived in Vietnam on 31 July 1968 as part of "Operation Combat Bronco", an operational testing and evaluation of the aircraft. These test aircraft were attached to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 504th Tactical Air Support Group at Bien Hoa Air Base in South Vietnam. The test roles included the full range of missions then assigned to FAC aircraft, including day and night strike direction, gunship direction, bomb damage assessment, visual reconnaissance, aerial artillery direction, and as escorts for aircraft engaged in Operation Ranch Hand.^[12] The aircraft's ability to generate smoke internally was utilized for strike direction and "in four specific instances under conditions of reduced visibility, the smoke was seen by strike aircrews before the [OV-10A] [was] detected."^[13] Operation Combat Bronco ended on 30 October 1968.

After the end of Combat Bronco, the USAF began to deploy larger numbers to the 19th TASS (Bien Hoa), 20th TASS (Da Nang Air Base), and for out-of-country missions to the 23d TASS (Nakhom Phanom in Thailand). The 23d TASS conducted Operation Igloo White, Operation Prairie Fire/Daniel Boone, and other special operations missions.^[14]

In April 1969 the USAF conducted an operational exercise, called Misty Bronco, to evaluate the OV-10A's performance as a light strike aircraft. The results were positive and as of October 1969 all USAF OV-10As were to be armed with their internal .308 in (7.62 mm) M60C machine guns, which had generally been left out during the Combat Bronco evaluations and subsequent deployment. High explosive 2.75 in (70 mm) rockets were also authorized for use against ground targets.^[15]

In 1971, the 23d TASS's OV-10A Broncos received modifications under project Pave Nail. Carried out by LTV Electrosystems during 1970, these modifications primarily included the addition of the Pave Spot target laser designator pod, as well as a specialized night periscope (replacing the initial starlight scopes that had been used for night time operations) and LORAN equipment. The callsign Nail was the radio handle of this squadron. These aircraft supported interdiction of troops and supplies on the Ho Chi Minh Trail by illuminating targets for laser-guided bombs dropped by McDonnell F-4 Phantom IIs.^[16] After 1974, these aircraft were converted back to an unmodified OV-10A standard.^[17]

At least 157 OV-10As were delivered to the USAF before production ended in April 1969. The USAF lost 64 OV-10 Broncos during the war, to all causes.^[10] In the late 1980s, the USAF started to replace their OV-10s with OA-37B and OA-10A aircraft. Unlike the Marine Corps, the USAF did not deploy the Bronco to the Middle East in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, as it believed that the OV-10 was too vulnerable. The final two USAF squadrons equipped with the Bronco, the 19th and 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS) retired the OV-10 on 1 September 1991.^[18][19]

U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy formed Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4), the "Black Ponies", on 3 January 1969, and operated in Vietnam from April 1969 to April 1972. The Navy used the Bronco OV-10A as a light ground attack aircraft, for interdiction of enemy logistics, and fire-support of Marines, SEALs and naval riverine force vessels.^[20] It succeeded in this role, although the U.S. Navy did lose seven OV-10s during the Vietnam War to various causes.^[10] Other than OV-10 Fleet replacement training done in cooperation with Air Antisubmarine Squadron Forty-One (VS-41) at NAS North Island, California, VAL-4 was the only squadron in the U.S. Navy to ever employ the OV-10 and it was decommissioned shortly following the end of the Vietnam War. VAL-4's surviving OV-10s were subsequently transferred to the Marine Corps.^[21]

International use

Colombia

In 1991, the USAF provided the Colombian Air Force with 12 OV-10As. Later, three ex-USMC A-models were also acquired to provide parts support. Colombia operates the aircraft in a COIN role against an active insurgency. At least one aircraft has been lost in combat.^[22] The remaining OV-10As were upgraded to OV-10D standard. In November 2015, and after 24 years of service, the Colombian Air Force retired all of its remaining OV-10 aircraft.^[23]

Germany

The OV-10B variant was produced for Germany to use as target tug. 18 aircraft were delivered in the late 60's and they were equipped with target towing equipment inside the fuselage. A clear dome replaced the rear cargo door and a rear seat was installed in the cargo bay to look backwards out of the dome. After a long career the Bronco was replaced by the Pilatus PC-9 in 1990 and all aircraft were retired and send to various museums, technical schools and used as ABDR (Aircraft Battle Damage Repair).

Indonesia

Indonesia purchased 12 OV-10F aircraft and operates them in COIN operations similar to the U.S. Navy's Vietnam missions with their Broncos, but have retrofitted .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning heavy machine guns in place of the .308 in (7.62 mm) machine guns.^[24] These aircraft were based in Lanud Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base in Malang, East Java and were vital in the invasion of East Timor and ensuing COIN operations. In 1977, they were also used during the aerial bombardments of Amungme villages near Freeport-McMoRan area of operations, West Papua, in response to OPM attacks on the mining company facilities, and of Dani villages in Baliem Valley, also in West Papua, in response to rebellion against enforced participation in the Indonesian general election.^[25] Due to the lack of U.S. bombs, the Indonesian Air Force modified the bomb racks of to be able to carry Russian bombs. The Indonesian Air Force plans to replace their OV-10Fs with EMBRAER Super Tucanos following a fatal accident on the 23 July 2013.^[26]

Morocco

The Royal Moroccan Air Force acquired six former-U.S. Marine Corps OV-10As in 1981. Based in Marrakesh Menara Airport, these were employed in counter-insurgency operations against Polisario forces in the Western Sahara War using rocket pods and gun pods. One was shot down in 1985.^[27]

Philippines

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) received 24 OV-10As from U.S. stocks in 1991, later followed by a further nine from the United States,^[28] and eight ex-Thai Air Force OV-10Cs in 2003–2004.^[28][29] The OV-10s are operated by the 16th Attack Squadron and 25th Composite Attack Squadron of the 15th Strike Wing, based in Sangley Point, Cavite.^[30] The PAF flies Broncos on search-and-rescue and COIN operations in various parts of the Philippines. The first two women combat pilots in the PAF flew OV-10s with the 16th. This squadron flew anti-terrorist operations in the Jolo Islands.^[31]

PAF OV-10 Broncos have been repeatedly used in air strikes against Moro Islamic Liberation Front positions during ongoing fighting in 2011,^[32] and two were used in an air strike on February 2012 which resulted in the death of three Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah commanders, among others.^[33] Philippine Air Force OV-10s have been reportedly modified in order to employ modern smart bombs.^[34][35]

Thailand

The Royal Thai Air Force purchased 32 new OV-10C aircraft in the early 1970s for COIN usage.^[29] Reportedly Broncos won most Thai bombing competitions until F-5Es became operational. At one time The RTAF flew OV-10s as air-defense aircraft.^[29] In 2004, RTAF donated most of the OV-10s to the Philippines.^[29] Two OV-10 survivors are displayed in the Tango Squadron Wing 41 Museum in Chiang Mai and the RTAF Museum in Bangkok. The remaining OV-10s will be donated to the PAF in 2011.

Venezuela

The Venezuelan Air Force has operated a number of new build OV-10Es and ex-USAF OV-10As over the years. On 27 November 1992, the aircraft were widely used by mutinied officers who staged an attempted coup d'état against former President Carlos Andrés Pérez. The rebels dropped bombs and launched rockets against Police and government buildings in Caracas. Four Broncos were lost during the uprising, including two shot down by a loyalist General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.^[36]

Venezuela's OV-10s are to be retired in the coming years. Originally Venezuela attempted to procure Embraer Super Tucano aircraft to replace the OV-10, but no deal was achieved which President Chavez claimed was due to the result of pressure from the U.S. government.^[37] The Venezuelan government has decided not to replace them with new fixed wing aircraft. Rather, the Venezuelan Air Force is replacing them with the Russian made Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter.

Other use

NASA

NASA has used a number of Broncos for various research programs, including studies of low speed flight carried out with the third prototype in the 1970s, and studies on noise and wake turbulence.^[38][39] One OV-10 remained in use at NASA's Langley base in 2009 with 3 additional aircraft obtained from the Department of State formerly used in drug eradication efforts.^[40]

U.S. Department of State Air Wing

The Department of State (DoS) aircraft are former Air Force OV-10A and Marine Corps OV-10D aircraft operated under contract by DynCorp International in support of U.S. drug interdiction and eradication efforts in South America. The aircraft carry civilian U.S. aircraft registration numbers and, when not forward deployed, are home based at a DoS/DynCorp facility at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.^[41]

Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) acquired seven OV-10As for use as fire fighting aircraft, including the YOV-10A prototype. In this role, they would lead firefighting air tankers through their intended flight path over their target area. The aircraft were operated in their basic military configurations, but with their ejection seats disabled. The aircraft's existing smoke system was used to mark the path for the following air tankers. With the age of the aircraft, spare parts were difficult to obtain, and the BLM retired their fleet in 1999.^[42]

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF or CALFIRE) has acquired a number of OV-10As, including the six surviving aircraft from the BLM^[42] and 13 former U.S. Marine Corps aircraft in 1993 to replace their existing Cessna O-2 Skymasters as air attack aircraft.^[43] The CAL FIRE Broncos fly with a crew of two, a contract pilot and the CAL FIRE ATGS or Air Tactical Group Supervisor, whose job it is to coordinate all aerial assets on a fire with the Incident Commander on the ground. Thus, besides serving as a tanker lead-in aircraft, the OV-10A is also the aerial platform from which the entire air operation is coordinated.^[44]

Variants

YOV-10A

Seven prototype NA-300s with two 600 shp T76-G-6/8 engines, last one was flown with YT74-P-1 engines.

OV-10A

Original production version with enlarged wing and 715 shp T76-G-10/12 engines. Distinguished by a long-wire HF antenna between the center rear stabilizer and the central nacelle, 114 for the United States Marine Corps and 157 for the United States Air Force.

OV-10B

Target towing variant for Germany, with a target towing pod mounted beneath the fuselage. A clear dome replaced the rear cargo door. The rear seat was moved to the cargo bay to look backwards out the dome, 18 built; known as the OV-10B(Z) when fitted with an additional J85-GE-4 turbojet.

OV-10B(Z)

A variation of the German target tug, with one J85-GE-4 turbojet mounted in a nacelle above the fuselage. A total of 18 aircraft were supplied to the Germans.^[45]

OV-10C

Export version for Thailand; based on the OV-10A, 32 built.

YOV-10D

The prototype night observation/gunship variant developed as the OV-10D, at least one conversion from OV-10A.

OV-10D

Second generation Bronco developed under the NOGS program. The D-model was an extensively modified OV-10A airframe, adding a forward-looking infrared night-vision system with a turret-mounted camera under an extended nose, visually distinct from the short rounded nose of the A-model. The D also has bigger engines and larger fiberglass propellers. Other noticeable external differences are the chaff dispensers installed midway down the booms and infrared-suppressive exhaust stacks (which mix the exhaust with colder air to reduce the aircraft's heat signature). 17 modified from OV-10A.

OV-10D+

The next USMC upgrade, consisting of A and D aircraft being extensively reworked at MCAS Cherry Point Naval Air Rework Facility with new wiring and strengthened wings. Engine instrumentation was changed from round dials to tape readouts.

OV-10E

Export version for Venezuela; based on the OV-10A, 16 built.

OV-10F

Export version for Indonesia; based on the OV-10A, 16 built.

OV-10G+

Designation given to OV-10s loaned from NASA to the United States Special Operations Command for evaluation under the Combat Dragon II as a counter-insurgency aircraft, featuring new Hartzell four-bladed props and an off-the-shelf sensor suite. 3 modified from OV-10D+.^[46]

OV-10M (modified)

A four-bladed version of OV-10A; modified to accommodate bigger engines with larger fiberglass props. Equipped with square chaff dispensers midway down the booms and with new wiring and strengthened wings. Engine instrumentation was changed from round dials to tape readouts by Marsh Aviation for the Philippine Air Force.^[47][48]

OV-10T

Proposed cargo version of the OV-10, capable of carrying 8-12 troops or 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) of cargo, studied during the Vietnam War but not proceeded with.

OV-10X

Proposed version for the USAF's light attack contract. The X will feature upgraded avionics and weapons capabilities.

Operators

 Colombia

• Colombian Air Force - all retired in 2015^[49]

 Indonesia

• Indonesian Air Force - 16 OV-10Fs, all grounded and to be replaced by the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano.^[50]

 Philippines

• Philippine Air Force - 8 OV-10A/AM/C aircraft in service in 2015^[51]

 United States

• NASA - four aircraft based at NASA Langley Research Center
• Department of State (operated by DynCorp) primarily in Colombia
• United States Air Force - all retired in 1991
• United States Marine Corps - all retired in 1995
• United States Navy - two in evaluation for special operations,^[52] USMC 18 loaned in Vietnam for operation by VAL-4.

 Venezuela

• Venezuelan Air Force - 16 OV-10Fs acquired, five in service in 2015^[51]

Civil operators

• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• Musée Européen d'avion de chasse ^[53]

Survivors

Belgium

• 158294/99+18 - OV-10B at Wevelgem, Belgium. Operated by the Bronco Demo Team as G-ONAA. Previously on display at the Internationales Luftfahrtmuseum Pflumm.^[54]

France

• 158300/99+24 - OV-10B at the Musee Europeen de l'Aviation de Chasse. Registered as F-AZKM.^[55][56]
• 158303/99+27 - OV-10B on display at the Musee Europeen de l'Aviation de Chasse.^[55][56]

Germany

• 158292/99+16 - OV-10B on display at Flugausstellung Hermeskeil in Hermeskeil, Rhineland-Palatinate.^[57]
• 158297/99+21 - There is an ex-Bundeswehr OV-10B on outdoor display at the Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr in Dresden, Germany.^[58]
• 158309/99+33 - OV-10B on display at the Militärhistorisches Museum Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow.^[59]

Indonesia

• An OV-10F (registration TT-1006) of the Indonesian Air Force is on display next to the major intersection at Jombang, East Java
• Multiple Indonesian Air Force OV-10Fs (TT-1002, TT-1008, TT-1010, TT-1012) are located in Lanud Abdurachman Saleh Air Force Base, Malang, East Java
• An OV-10F (registration TT-1015) of the Indonesian Air Force is currently located in the Dirgantala Mandala Museum, Jogjakarta^[60]

Thailand

• 158405 - OV-10C with Royal Thai Air Force markings is on display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok.^[61][62]

United Kingdom

• 158302/99+26 - OV-10B under restoration to airworthiness at Duxford, England. Owned by the Bronco Demo Team.^[54]
• 158308/99+32 - OV-10B at Duxford, England. Operated by the Bronco Demo Team as G-BZGK.^[54] This aircraft crashed at Cotswold Airport on 10 July 2012.^[63][64]

United States

• The production mockup of the OV-10A, c/n NAA-001, made in Columbus, Ohio, is on display at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, along with two other OV-10s.^[65]
• 67-14623 - An OV-10A is on display at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Georgia.^[66]
• 67-14626 - An OV-10A is on display at the Hurlburt Field Air Park at Hurlburt Field, Florida^[67]
• 68-03787 - An OV-10A is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio ^[68]
• 68-03825 - An OV-10A is on display at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.^[69]
• 152880 - OV-10D on display outdoors at Mid America Air Museum, Liberal, Kansas.^[70] This aircraft was originally a YOV-10A.^[71]
• 152881 - One of the original prototype YOV-10As was on display at the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run Airport near Ypsilanti, Michigan. It had been fully restored by a former OV-10 crew chief. The aircraft was destroyed along with several other museum aircraft in a fire on 9 October 2004.
• 155409 - An OV-10D is on display at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, FL.^[72] This aircraft previously served with Marine Observation Squadron TWO (VMO-2) and was later transferred to the U.S. Department of State Air Wing at nearby Patrick AFB, FL.^[73]
• 155426 - An OV-10A in Marine Corps markings is on display at the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth, Texas.^[74]
• 155472 - An OV-10D in Navy markings is on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida. This OV-10 was received by the NNAM on 21 Oct 2004 when it was transferred from the National Museum of the Marine Corps at MCB Quantico, Virginia. BuNo 155472 was originally an OV-10A which flew with VAL-4 during the Vietnam War, but was later transferred to the Marine Corps and upgraded to OV-10D standard in 1991. Bureau Number 155472 is currently repainted and displayed in the scheme of VAL-4.^[75] Formerly on display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum.^[76]
• 155494 - An OV-10D in Marine Corps markings is on display at the Flying Leathernecks Museum at MCAS Miramar, California.^[77]
• 155499 - An OV-10D with Marine Observation Squadron 1 (VMO-1) markings is on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum and the National Museum of the Marine Corps.^[78]
• 158301/99+25 - OV-10B flying for the Cactus Air Force Wings and Wheels Museum. This aircraft has been reconfigured as an OV-10A.^[79]
• 158304/99+28 - OV-10B flying for Stallion 51 at Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Kissimmee, Florida. This aircraft has been reconfigured as an OV-10A.^[80]

Specifications

OV-10A

Data from Mesko^[81]

General characteristics

• Crew: two
• Length: 41 ft 7 in (12.67 m)
• Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
• Height: 15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)
• Wing area: 290.95 ft² (27.03 m²)
• Empty weight: 6,893 lb (3,127 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 14,444 lb (6,552 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Garrett T76-G-410/412 turboprop, 715 hp (533 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 281 mph (452 km/h)
• Range: 576 mi (927 km)
• Service ceiling: 24,000 ft (7,315 m)

Armament

• Guns: 4 × 7.62×51mm M60C machine guns
• Hardpoints: 5 fuselage and 2 underwing  and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: 7- or 19-tube launchers for 2.75" FFARs or 2- or 4-tube launchers for 5" FFARs
  • Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder (Wing pylons only)
  • Bombs: up to 500 lb
  • Other: SUU-11/A or Mk 4 Mod 0 gun pods

OV-10D

Data from Mesko^[82]

General characteristics

• Crew: two
• Length: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
• Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
• Height: 15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)
• Wing area: 290.95 ft² (27.03 m²)
• Empty weight: 6,893 lb (3,127 kg)
• Loaded weight: 9,908 lb (4,494 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 14,444 lb (6,552 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Garrett T76-G-420/421 turboprop, 1,040 hp (775.5 kW) each
• Tailplane Span 14 ft, 7 in (4.45 m)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 288 mph (463 km/h)
• Range: 1,382 mi (2,224 km)
• Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,159 m)

Armament

• Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) M197 cannon (YOV-10D) or 4 × 7.62×51mm M60C machine guns (OV-10D/D+)
• Hardpoints: 5 fuselage and 2 underwing  and provisions to carry combinations of:
  • Rockets: 7- or 19-tube launchers for 2.75" FFARs/2.75" WAFARs or 2- or 4-tube launchers for 5" FFARs or WAFARs
  • Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder on wings only
  • Bombs: up to 500 lb (227 kg)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Convair Model 48 Charger
• FMA IA 58 Pucará
• OV-1 Mohawk
• Soko J-20 Kraguj
• Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano

References

Notes

Bibliography

Further reading

• Harrison, Marshall. A Lonely Kind of War: A Forward Air Controller (Vietnam). New York: Presido Press, 1997. ISBN 978-0-89141-638-8.
• Lavell, Kit. Flying Black Ponies: The Navy's Close Air Support Squadron in Vietnam. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 2009. ISBN 978-1-59114-468-7.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to OV-10 Bronco.

• The OV-10 Bronco Association site
• Historical documentation by the inventor, Col. K.P. Rice, USMC retired
• NTSB report LAX97GA205 detailing a BLM OV-10A fatal crash, archived on Landings.com
• Bronco photos and drawings on MilitaryPhotos.Net
• Company brochure on proposed modernized OV-10D (OV-10X)
• Excerpt from the film One Tough Ride, The Story of the OV-10 Bronco
• Tough Little Jungle Fighter, Popular Science, December 1964

North American Aviation and North American Aviation division of Rockwell International aircraft Manufacturer "Charge Number" NA-15 NA-16 NA-17 NA-18 NA-19 NA-20 NA-21 NA-22 NA-23 NA-24 NA-25 NA-26 NA-27 NA-28 NA-29 NA-30 NA-31 NA-32 NA-33 NA-34 NA-35 NA-36 NA-37 NA-38 NA-39 NA-40 NA-41 NA-42 NA-43 NA-44 NA-45 NA-46 NA-47 NA-48 NA-49 NA-50 NA-51 NA-52 NA-53 NA-54 NA-55 NA-56 NA-57 NA-58 NA-59 NA-60 NA-61 NA-62 NA-63 NA-64 NA-65 NA-66 NA-67 NA-68 NA-69 NA-70 NA-71 NA-72 NA-73 NA-74 NA-75 NA-76 NA-77 NA-78 NA-79 NA-80 NA-81 NA-82 NA-83 NA-84 NA-85 NA-86 NA-87 NA-88 NA-89 NA-90 NA-91 NA-92 NA-93 NA-94 NA-95 NA-96 NA-97 NA-98 NA-99 NA-100 NA-101 NA-102 NA-103 NA-104 NA-105 NA-106 NA-107 NA-108 NA-109 NA-110 NA-111 NA-112 NA-113 NA-114 NA-115 NA-116 NA-117 NA-118 NA-119 NA-120 NA-121 NA-122 NA-123 NA-124 NA-125 NA-126 NA-127 NA-128 NA-129 NA-130 NA-131 NA-132 NA-133 NA-134 NA-135 NA-136 NA-137 NA-138 NA-139 NA-140 NA-141 NA-142 NA-143 NA-144 NA-145 NA-146 NA-147 NA-148 NA-149 NA-150 NA-151 NA-152 NA-153 NA-154 NA-155 NA-156 NA-157 NA-158 NA-159 NA-160 NA-161 NA-162 NA-163 NA-164 NA-165 NA-166 NA-167 NA-168 NA-169 NA-170 NA-171 NA-172 NA-173 NA-174 NA-175 NA-176 NA-177 NA-178 NA-179 NA-180 NA-181 NA-182 NA-183 NA-184 NA-185 NA-186 NA-187 NA-188 NA-189 NA-190 NA-191 NA-192 NA-193 NA-194 NA-195 NA-196 NA-197 NA-198 NA-199 NA-200 NA-201 NA-202 NA-203 NA-204 NA-205 NA-206 NA-207 NA-208 NA-209 NA-210 NA-211 NA-212 NA-213 NA-214 NA-215 NA-216 NA-217 NA-218 NA-219 NA-220 NA-221 NA-222 NA-223 NA-224 NA-225 NA-226 NA-227 NA-228 NA-229 NA-230 NA-231 NA-232 NA-233 NA-234 NA-235 NA-236 NA-237 NA-238 NA-239 NA-240 NA-241 NA-242 NA-243 NA-244 NA-245 NA-246 NA-247 NA-248 NA-249 NA-250 NA-251 NA-252 NA-253 NA-254 NA-255 NA-256 NA-257 NA-258 NA-259 NA-260 NA-261 NA-262 NA-263 NA-264 NA-265 NA-266 NA-267 NA-268 NA-269 NA-270 NA-271 NA-272 NA-273 NA-274 NA-275 NA-276 NA-277 NA-278 NA-279 NA-280 NA-281 NA-282 NA-283 NA-284 NA-285 NA-286 NA-287 NA-288 NA-289 NA-290 NA-291 NA-292 NA-293 NA-294 NA-295 NA-296 NA-297 NA-298 NA-299 NA-300 NA-301 NA-302 NA-303 NA-304 NA-305 NA-306 NA-307 NA-308 NA-309 NA-310 NA-311 NA-312 NA-313 NA-314 NA-315 NA-316 NA-317 NA-318 NA-319 NA-320 NA-321 NA-322 NA-323 NA-324 NA-325 NA-326 NA-327 NA-328 NA-329 NA-330 NA-331 NA-332 NA-333 NA-334 NA-335 NA-336 NA-337 NA-338 NA-339 NA-340 NA-341 NA-342 NA-343 NA-344 NA-345 NA-346 NA-347 NA-348 NA-349 NA-350 NA-351 NA-352 NA-353 NA-354 NA-355 NA-356 NA-357 NA-358 NA-359 NA-360 NA-361 NA-362 NA-363 NA-364 NA-365 NA-366 NA-367 NA-368 NA-369 NA-370 NA-371 NA-372 NA-373 NA-374 NA-375 NA-376 NA-377 NA-378 NA-379 NA-380 NA-381 NA-382 NA-383 NA-384 NA-385 NA-386 NA-387 NA-388 NA-389 NA-390 NA-391 NA-392 NA-393 NA-394 NA-395 NA-396 NA-397 NA-398 NA-399 NA-400 NA-401 NA-402 NA-403 NA-404 NA-405 NA-406 NA-407 NA-420 NA-430 NA-431 D481 NA-704 By role Fighters P-51 P-64 F-82 F-86/F-86D YF-93 F-100 F-107 XF-108 FJ-1 FJ-2/3 FJ-4 F-1 XFV-12 Bombers XB-21 B-25 XB-28 B-45 B-64 XB-70 B-1 Attack A-27 A-36 AJ XA2J A3J A-2 A-5 Observation O-47 L-17 OV-10 Trainers NA-16 NA-35 BT-9 BT-10 BT-14 Yale BC-1 Harvard BC-2 AT-6 T-6 NJ-1 SNJ XSN2J T2J T3J T-28 T-39 T-2 Ranger 2000 Transports NAC-60 Experimental X-10 X-15 X-30 X-31 HiMAT Missiles SM-64 GAM-77 AGM-28 MQM-42 AGM-53 Spacecraft Apollo CSM DC-3 Space Shuttle By name Apache Bronco Buckeye Fury Harvard HiMAT Hound Dog Invader Lancer Mitchell Mustang Navaho Navion Ranger Rapier Redhead Roadrunner Sabre Sabre Dog Sabreliner Savage Super Sabre Super Savage Texan Tornado Torito Trojan Twin Mustang Valkyrie Vigilante Yale See also: Aero Commander

United States tri-service STOL and VTOL aircraft designations post-1962 OV-1 CV-2 XV-3 XV-4 XV-5 V-6 CV-7 XV-8 AV-8A/B XV-9 OV-10 XV-11 OV-12 XFV-12 V-131 V-141 XV-15 AV-16 V-171 UV-18 V-171 UV-20 V-211 V-22 UV-23 1 Not assigned

Authority control GND: 1034297961