Grumman OV-1
| Grumman OV-1 Mohawk | |
|---|---|
 US Army OV-1 Mohawk |
|
| Type: | Reconnaissance plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
April 14, 1959 |
| Commissioning: |
October 1959 |
| Production time: |
1959 to 1969 |
| Number of pieces: |
380 |
The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk is a two-seat observation and reconnaissance aircraft developed by Grumman .
construction
The OV-1 was the first aircraft of the US Army with turboprop -drive. The aircraft is relatively slow, but very manoeuvrable. Since the OV-1 was very vulnerable due to its low speed, it was given good cockpit armor: an aluminum floor 64 mm thick, bullet-resistant front and rear bulkheads and front windows made of bulletproof glass.
Special design features are the propeller turbines in the wings, a tail unit with three vertical fins and rudders as well as a slight V-position of the horizontal tail, which gives the lateral fins a slight inward inclination. Heavily bulged cockpit sides offer the crew a good view of the ground. The OV-1B has a plastic container with AN / APS-94 side-view radar .
history
In the mid-1950s, both the Army and Marine Corps were looking for a battlefield surveillance aircraft. The demands of the two armed forces were basically the same: a wide range of reconnaissance equipment was required, suitable for field airfields and capable of short take-offs. The Army and Marine Corps agreed on a draft. In 1957 Grumman received the order for 9 test and development samples of the type Grumman G-134. These machines were designated as YAO-1A (see also designation system for aircraft of the US Army from 1956 to 1962 ) until 1962 and later as YOV-1A.
On April 14, 1959, the first machine took off on its maiden flight. The Marine Corps later canceled the contract for its aircraft, the Army developed the aircraft on its own. The test flights showed the good quality of this aircraft. In 1959 the army received its first series orders.
The Mohawk showed that she fulfilled her role to the full satisfaction. By default, 4 mohawks were assigned to each division. The machine could be armed, but the Department of Defense ruled that Army aircraft were not allowed to carry weapons in order not to confuse them with US Air Force aircraft. The Mohawk was used as an armed reconnaissance aircraft in the Vietnam War.
The US Army retired the last OV-1D from 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 501st MI Brigade, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on September 21, 1996.
Israel received two OV-1Ds in 1974, which were returned to the US in 1984.
From the turn of the year 1992/1993 to August 1994, Argentina received a total of 23 OV-1 aircraft and two flightless partial aircraft for training. Some were decommissioned in 1999, and the 10 remaining in the inventory were modernized. In 2014, 8 aircraft were still operational, which were replaced by three Diamond DA42 Twin Star at the end of 2015 .
Versions
- YOV-1A (YAO-1): prototypes, 9 built
- OV-1A (AO-1AF): Version for day reconnaissance with double controls, 64 built
- OV-1B (AO-1BF): Version with a larger wingspan, AN / APS-94 side-view radar (SLAR) and an instant camera , but without double controls, 101 built
- OV-1C (AO-1CF): OV-1A with AN / AAS-24 infrared surveillance system, 169 built
- OV-1D: Version with side loading doors for a sensor pallet (IR, side view radar and others), 37 newly built, 82 conversions
- JOV-1A: OV-1A and OV-1C with armament, 59 conversions
- RV-1C: OV-1C with "Quick Look" ELINT equipment, 2 conversions
- RV-1D: Version with "Quick Look II" ELINT equipment (ALQ-133), 31 modifications
- EV-1E: Version for electronic reconnaissance (conversion)
- OV-1E: a prototype of a modernized but not ordered version
Users
- Argentine Army
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data of the OV-1D |
|---|---|
| Type: | 2-seat multi-sensor observation and reconnaissance aircraft |
| Engine: | 2 propeller turbines Avco- Lycoming T53 -L-701 with 1044 kW (1420 PS) each |
| Top speed: | 491 km / h at an altitude of 3055 m |
| Maximum range: | 1627 km |
| Setup mass: | 5468 kg |
| Max. Takeoff mass: | 8125 kg |
| Span: | 14.63 m |
| Length: | 12.50 m |
| Height: | 3.86 m |
| Wing area: | 33.44 m² |
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Grumman OV-1 Mohawk Ejercito Argentino , February 25, 2012
- ↑ Grumman OV-1 Mohawk , amilarg.com