Rockwell OV-10

North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco
US Navy OV-10A in Vietnam
Type:	light attack and reconnaissance aircraft
Design country:	United States
Manufacturer:	North American Aviation Rockwell International
First flight:	July 16, 1965
Commissioning:	October 1969
Production time:	1968 to 1976
Number of pieces:	356

The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a two -seat, light observation , attack and transport aircraft powered by two turboprop engines with short take-off and landing capabilities .

history

development

The experience from the Korean War resulted in a 1963 tender by the US Department of Defense, according to which a light armed reconnaissance aircraft was sought, which should be specially suitable for counterinsurgency operations (COIN) and usable by all branches of the armed forces. The models Cessna O-1 “Bird Dog” and Cessna O-2 “Skymaster”  - both derived from propeller-driven private aircraft - were unsuitable for this.

Representing the acquired US Navy to lead the project LARA ( L ight A rmed R econnaissance A ircraft), looked with specifications as follows:

It was supposed to be a twin-engine propeller-driven aircraft with a crew of two, which should combine certain criteria of both a helicopter and a jet-propelled aircraft. At a speed of up to 560 km / h, extremely resilient flight characteristics (−3 to +8 g ) and a maximum take-off distance of 250 m, it should also be able to carry a load of up to 1100 kg. This should, for example, consist of up to six fully equipped paratroopers or two stretchers and a paramedic. It should also be able to operate from aircraft carriers .

Two Rockwell LW-3B zero-zero ejection seats are installed to rescue the two crew members . If the pilot triggers the ejection seat, he and the weapons system officer (WSO) are shot upwards at slightly diverging angles in milliseconds. The car roof is not blown off, but broken through. If only the WSO triggers the ejection seat, the pilot remains in the aircraft.

The internal armament should consist of four machine guns of 7.62 mm caliber including 500 rounds of ammunition, and there should be outstations for Sidewinder guided missiles as well as a 20 mm machine cannon in an external container .

In August 1964, the US Navy chose the NA-300 model from the North American / Rockwell consortium from among the nine submitted designs and made $ 3.1 million available for the production of seven prototypes. On July 16, 1965, the YOV-10 finally took off for its maiden flight, but initial testing quickly revealed the need for some improvements. The span was increased considerably, the engine nacelles were moved further outwards and stronger engines were required.

commitment

US Air Force

US Air Force OV-10A

In July 1968, the first US Air Force machines arrived in Vietnam , where the 504th Tactical Air Support Group, which was responsible for distributing the new "Broncos", quickly deployed them for flight and fire control tasks. Due to the ideal all-round visibility of the crew and the extraordinarily agile flight behavior, the "Bronco" soon acquired a very good reputation both among its pilots and among the units to be supported. Because of its extremely short take-off and landing distances, it could be used almost anywhere.

US Navy OV-10A in Vietnam

Due to its weapons load of up to 1633 kg and the excellent visibility for the crew, it was soon used for a special method of close air support, which was called "Misty Bronco" ("Nebulous Bronco"). If a US unit was under direct fire, a "Bronco" was used first and provided massive fire support with its on-board weapons , while tactical fighter-bombers were requested at the same time. If these were approaching, the "Bronco" quickly rose to the ground and acted as a flying fire control.

Although the "Bronco" had a small cargo hold for people and light cargo, this operational configuration (transport of wounded or dropping command units) in Vietnam was carried out entirely by helicopters. However, since the "Bronco" was far superior to helicopters in terms of speed, the CIA was very interested in it and carried out many of its secret operations, including in Cambodia , with the "Bronco".

Production of the OV-10A ended in April 1969. However, this had been slightly modified again and again during its operational phase. Probably the most extensive of these modifications received 15 OV-10A, which received the so-called "Pave-Nail" package. This consisted of a long-range navigation system, a laser range finder , a laser target marking system and a stabilized night vision device for air surveillance and ground combat attacks in the dark.

In 2015, two machines were used on a trial basis in the civil war in Syria and northern Iraq to fight the Islamic State . According to the United States Central Command , the two machines flew 120 combat missions for 82 days from May 2015. The reason for using the machines was on the one hand the relatively low operating costs, for example in comparison to the use of an F-15 , and on the other hand with better reconnaissance results that could be achieved through a lower speed.

US Marine Corps

Because of the rather successful missions of the "Pave-Nail" -modified OV-10A is a combat performance-enhanced version for the US Marine Corps has been developed as YOV-10D had its first flight on June 9, 1970 and as Nog ( N ight O bservation and G unship S ystem). She had, inter alia, a longer nose, in which an infrared -Abtaster ( FLIR = F orward L ooking I nfra r ed ) was housed, as well as a hanging below the rear fuselage rotatable and remote controlled triple-flight 20-mm-gun system ( M197 ). To compensate for the extra weight, it was equipped with more powerful engines, which also gave it a greater range. The OV-10D, however, were not newly manufactured machines, but modified OV-10As.

The OV-10D was still in active service during the second Gulf War , but was gradually decommissioned from 1995 onwards, as modern weapon systems, especially so-called “intelligent bombs”, had made a flying fire control platform superfluous. The "Bronco" was also replaced by modern surveillance systems, including satellite-based reconnaissance.

During its active military career, the OV-10 was used for advanced combat observation, fire control and special reconnaissance, for courier flights and light air transport, armed escorts of helicopters, the dropping of small "airborne operations units" and for ground combat attacks. Later it was also used for special radar reconnaissance , tactical aerial surveillance or low-altitude photographic reconnaissance.

After the end of their military use in the USA, some machines are still used there to fight forest fires .

armed forces

OV-10B (Z) of the German Air Force

A special mention is the OV-10B to, of which the Air Force of the Armed Forces in the late 1960s had ordered 18 machines as a target towing aircraft should serve.

These differed significantly from the OV-10A. On the one hand, they had neither armament nor sensors, on the other hand, the hinged cargo door on the rear of the fuselage was replaced by a glass canopy through which the "operator" sitting opposite to the flight direction could see and control the target. The towing target was controlled by means of a cable winch located in the hold. Furthermore, the aircraft were provided with conspicuous orange-colored areas, which were intended to make the tow plane easier to recognize during the target exercises (for example, these exercises took place with flak in the airspace above / in front of the Todendorf training and anti-aircraft firing range , which is subordinate to the Putlos Training Area Command). .

Later twelve of these machines were converted to the OV-10B (Z) . This had an additional General Electric J85 GE-4 jet engine on the fuselage , through which a speed increased by around 150 km / h, a take-off distance shortened by half and three times the rate of climb could be achieved. However, this engine repeatedly caused technical problems and also had such immense fuel consumption that it was later removed. In 1990 all OV-10B were decommissioned.

OV-10B after landing

Royal Thai Air Force

The first 16 OV-10C Bronco for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) were ordered in 1970 and delivered in 1971. The aircraft were delivered on board the USS Okinawa in June 1971 to Cam Ranh Bay (Vietnam) and flown from there to Thailand. The 21st Squadron of the 2nd Squadron in RTAF Lopburi was the first ever user of the Thai Broncos. The Broncos for the second squadron (16 OV-10C) were flown over the Pacific by the Skyways company on December 8, 1974 and stationed at RTAFB Prachuap Khiri Khan with the 53rd Squadron of the 5th Squadron. The OV-10C Broncos were designated by the RTAF as บ. จ) (BJ.5) Attack Aircraft No. 5.

At this time (1975) the struggle against the communists in the north and northeast was at a height, so many OV-10C were stationed on bases in the north and northeast. On October 1, 1977, all OV-10C were relocated from Lopburi to RTAFB Chiang Mai, where they formed the 411th squadron of the 41st Squadron.

In 1982 the RTAF set up a new squadron in RTAFB Surat Thani in the south. All OV-10C of the 53rd Squadron were relocated to Surat Thani to the new squadron. The new squadron was called 711 Squadron, 71st Squadron; their job was to protect the Thai fisheries and destroy communist targets in the south. On September 24, 1991 the RTAF was reorganized. The 711 Squadron was equipped with Northrop F-5E Tiger II. The Broncos of the 711th squadron were handed over to the 411th squadron in Chiang Mai. The 411th season was thus the only operator of the Broncos in Thailand. All OV-10C Broncos were retired on April 7, 2004.

Eight redundant OV-10C were given to the Philippines. Nine machines remained in Thailand (3 - "Tango Relay" Chiang Mai, 1 - RTAF Museum Don Mueang, 1 - Lop Buri, 1 - Prachuap Khiri Khan, 1 - Surat Thani and 1 - Chiang Mai).

A Thai OV-10C 1987

variants

OV-10A

OV-10A of the US Marine Corps

Although it was intended for all branches of the armed forces, 114 of the 271 OV-10A machines built went to the US Marine Corps on August 6, 1967, and the remaining 157 copies were used by the US Air Force . The US Navy "borrowed" 18 copies from the US Marine Corps, while the US Army did not order any machines.

OV-10B / OV-10B (Z)

Version for the Bundeswehr. Use as a target tow plane.

OV-10C

Export version for the Royal Thai Air Force.

OV-10D

OV-10D of the US Marine Corps

In addition, upgraded version for the US Marine Corps and there as Nog ( N ight O bservation and G unship S ystem), respectively.

OV-10E

Export version for the Venezuelan Air Force

OV-10F

Export version for the Indonesian Air Force

OV-10G

The South Korean Air Force has expressed interest in 45 Broncos, which the manufacturer has designated as the OV-10G. However, the sale was not approved by the US government.

OV-10G +

As part of the Combat Dragon II program , two former OV-10D + from the USMC, which were subsequently operated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and NASA, were converted in 2013 . The upgrade included new sensors, avionics and the interfaces required for the use of precision weapons . The two machines first underwent an evaluation for use in the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in Afghanistan .

Users

Military

In addition to the USA, other countries used or are using the "Bronco": 32 machines of the type OV-10C were delivered to Thailand , in 1976 Venezuela bought 16 machines of the type OV-10E . The OV-10G , the last version for the time being , went to South Korea , Morocco and the Philippines .

 Germany German Air Force

18 × OV-10B (Z), retired

 Indonesia Indonesian Air Force

16 × OV-10F These machines went to Indonesia as the OV-10F , where they were used, among other things, in the war in East Timor .

 Colombia Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Columbina)

15 × OV-10A (some upgraded to OV-10D)

 Morocco Moroccan Air Force (Royal Moroccan Air Force)

6 × OV-10A

 Philippines Republic of the Philippines Air Force

24 × OV-10A

8 × OV-10C

 Thailand Thai Air Force (Royal Thai Air Force)

45 × OV-10C

 Venezuela Aviación Militar Nacional Bolivariana Venezolana

16 × OV-10E

 United States

• United States Air Force

157 × OV-10A

• United States Marine Corps

121 × OV-10A

17 × OV-10D

• United States Navy

18 × OV-10A

Civil

• NASA

In the early 1970s, NASA investigated a number of different STOL concepts. An OV-10A (NASA registration number 718) was also equipped with a buoyancy aid in the form of a rotating cylinder flap system. The cylinder driven by the engines directed the air flow over the strongly extended flaps.

• When fighting forest fires , the state of California uses OV-10As as command and control aircraft, whose task, in addition to exploration, is to bring large fire-fighting aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules to the drop points.

Technical specifications

Three-sided view of the OV-10A Bronco

Parameter	OV-10A / C / E / F / G	OV-10B (Z)	OV-10D
crew	2 + x	2 + 1	2 + x
length	12.12 m		12.49 m
span	12.19 m
Wing area	27.03 m²
height	4.62 m
Empty mass	3127 kg		3167 kg
Max. Takeoff mass	6552 kg	6671 kg	6563 kg
Top speed	452 km / h	620 km / h	463 km / h
Max. Range	2414 km	2870 km	3250 km
Service ceiling	7315 m	7930 m
drive	two Garrett T-76-G-10/12	two Garrett T-76-G-416/417 + a General Electric J85 GE-4 turbojet	two Garrett T-76-G-420/421
power	526 kW (715 hp)	533 kW (723 hp)

Armament

OV-10A Bronco in June 1972

Permanently installed guns in the booms

• 1 × 20 mm Gatling cannon General Dynamics M197 in GE M97 universal turret (rotating turret as in AH-1 Supercobra) with 300 rounds of ammunition (only YOV-10D)
• 4 × 7.62mm U.S. machine guns Ordnance M60C with 500 rounds of ammunition each (OV-10D / D +)

Arming at external load stations

Ordnance up to 1200 kg at seven external load stations under the two wings and under the booms

Air-to-air guided missiles

• 2 × LAU-7 / A start rails on Y-shaped carriers for 2 × Ford AIM-9B / C "Sidewinder" each - thermal image-controlled short-range air-to-air guided missile

Air-to-ground guided missiles

• 2 × 4 start rails on the outer beams under the wings for 4 × Lockheed Martin AGM-114 "Hellfire" - laser-controlled anti-tank guided missiles
• 2 × LAU-7 / A start rails on Y-shaped supports for 2 × AGM-122 “Sidearm” anti-radar guided missiles each

Unguided air-to-surface missiles

• 4 × LAU-3 / A rocket launchers for 7 × unguided FFAR air-to-surface missiles each ; Caliber 70 mm / 2.75 inch
• 4 × LAU-10D / A rocket launchers for 4 × unguided Zuni air-to-surface rockets each , caliber 127 mm / 5 inch
• 4 × LAU-32 / A rocket launchers for 19 × unguided FFAR air-to-surface missiles each; Caliber 70 mm / 2.75 inch
• 4 × LAU-33 / A rocket launchers for 2 × unguided Zuni air-to-surface missiles, caliber 127 mm / 5 inch
• 4 × LAU-59 / A rocket launchers for 7 × unguided FFAR air-to-surface missiles each; Caliber 70 mm / 2.75 inch
• 4 × LAU-60 / A rocket launchers for 19 × unguided FFAR air-to-surface missiles each; Caliber 70 mm / 2.75 inch
• 4 × LAU-61 / A rocket launchers for 19 × unguided FFAR air-to-surface missiles each; Caliber 70 mm / 2.75 inch
• 4 × LAU-68 / A rocket launchers for 7 × unguided FFAR air-to-surface missiles each; Caliber 70 mm / 2.75 inch
• 4 × LAU-69 / A rocket launchers for 19 × unguided FFAR air-to-surface missiles each; Caliber 70 mm / 2.75 inch

Free fall bombs

• 4 × Mark 81 LDGP (113 kg / 250 lb free fall bomb )
• 4 × Mark 82 LDGP (227 kg / 500 lb free fall bomb)
• 4 × Mark 82 "Snake Eye" (227 kg / 500 lb, with four air brakes)
• 4 × CBU-55 / B (235 kg / 500 lb aerosol bomb )
• 1 × Mark 83 (454 kg / 1000 lb free fall bomb)
• 2 × Mk.77 Mod 2 / Mod 4 (230 kg / 500 lb napalm firebomb)
• 2 × BLU-27B (395 kg napalm bomb)

External container

• 4 × SUU-11A / A canisters each with a 7.62 mm Gatling M134 machine gun and 1500 rounds of ammunition
• 1 × GPU-2 / A container with a 20 mm Gatling automatic cannon M197 , 300 rounds of ammunition
• 1 × Hughes Mk 4 Mod 0 weapon container with a 20 mm automatic cannon and 750 rounds of ammunition
• 1 × drop-off additional tank for 556 liters (150 US gallons) of kerosene
• 2 × drop-off additional tanks for 375 liters (100 US gallons) of kerosene
• 2 × SUU-40 / A flare throwers with 4 × Mk.24 flares
• 2 × flare throwers SUU-44 / A with 8 × Mk.45 flares

Individual evidence

1. ↑ http://www.ov-10bronco.net/faq.cfm#30
2. ↑ Ryan Browne: Vietnam-era planes used against ISIS. CNN, March 11, 2016, accessed March 17, 2016 . 
3. ^ David Ax: Why Is America Using These Antique Plane to Fight ISIS? The Daily Beast, March 9, 2016, accessed March 14, 2016 . 
4. ↑ USA suddenly use Vietnam war bombers against IS. welt.de, March 11, 2016, accessed on March 14, 2016 . 
5. ↑ www.wings.de.ms ( Memento of the original from August 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
6. ↑ Welcome back, OV-10?
7. ↑ Combat Dragon II Demonstrates OV-10G + Bronco Capabilities defensemedianetwork.com, accessed June 20, 2013
8. ↑ "Chapter 7.3 Forced Displacement and Famine" ( Memento of November 28, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 1.3 MB) from the "Chega!" Report of the CAVR (English)
9. ↑ Flug-Revue, February 1972, p. 17
10. ↑ OV-10A Tactical Aircraft , California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection datasheet, accessed April 28, 2020
11. ^ The aircraft of the Bundeswehr , ISBN 978-3-613-02743-5
12. ↑ http://www.ov-10bronco.net/technical.cfm

Web links

Commons : OV-10 Bronco  - Album with pictures, videos and audio files

• The OV-10 Bronco Association (Engl.)
• Boeing side of the OV-10 (English).
• Article with photos of the "Bronco" (Engl.)
• Czech. Items with Photos (Engl.)
• Aviation Museum Rothenburg (German)
• OV-10B Bronco Demo Team (Engl.)