Posted on 09/12/2009 12:03:18 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
PHOTO: Boeing pitches OV-10X Bronco for USAF light attack
By Stephen Trimble on September 11, 2009
Boeing confirms it has proposed building new OV-10s with upgraded avionics and weapons for the US Air Force light attack contract.
Subscription-only Inside the Air Force broke the news this morning.
Boeing provided the photo above, providing a glimpse of the new OV-10 concept. The image will surely be embraced by the Bronco's devoted following, who remember the aircraft's notably effective service in the Vietnam War.
The OV-10 could face competition from other Vietnam-era light attack aircraft, such as the Piper Aircraft PA-48 Enforcer. A new class of turboprop fighter-trainers, such as the AT-6 and the Embraer Super Tucano are also vying for the contract. Alenia, meanwhile, plans to offer the jet-powered M346 trainer.
Boeing inherits the OV-10 Bronco's design rights from its purchase in the 1980s of North American Rockwell, the aircraft's original manufacturer.
If they could make a pilot-less OV-10...with beefed up engines and a dozen cameras onboard...it’d probably sell like hotcakes. Otherwise, with a pilot...it’s mostly a slow A-10 and a deathtrap for any pilot who flies it. I don’t see this deal ever happening unless they make it a remote-controlled vehicle.
Sure is perfect for targeting urban unrest though isn’t it...
Just sayin’ is all. How sad is it that I’m thinking of weapons that will turned against us?
Depends on whether the restless, be they Urbanites, or Sub Urbanites or "country folk" have Stingers or not.
You’re right. The evil sonovabitch 0bama will bring us down if he’s allowed to do so.
SInce the USAF seems to be refighting the late war in the RVN (OV10 is so 60s)
How about a real classic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_PA-48_Enforcer (P-51 remake)
or even the
(gasp)
SPAD!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-1_Skyraider
A turboprop and some composite armor..... who knows?
The first time I saw one of these back in the late 70’s when I was a young Marine, was at an air show @ MCAS New River , it came over, went virtcal and 4 Recon Marines came out the back from 800ft. Damn impressive.
It looks like a P3/A10.
I guess it makes sense with the rear wing, enabling manuevers of quick dives and pull outs.
What? Where?
Why go light?
My first reaction: A Warthog Mini-me.
Damn, not only is government corrupt at the federal level but at the local level too....can a revolution resolve this?
I don’t understand how government employees can tolerate the fact that they are now working for the dark side.....
Are people that desperate to keep their bureaucratic positions?
Yes, the AD was the perfect ground support machine. It was able to carry more bombs than a B-17 and capable of multi-mission roles. One version was even a Medevac craft. The wing guns - 30’s, 50’s or even 20 mm - sprayed a lot of lead. Marine pilots would pop the dive brakes, stand the AD on its nose and rake enemy positions; sometimes at less than 50 feet altitude!
Just about every new weapon these days, I have the same thoughts as you seem to.
Our police departments are basically military units these days, and the “us against them” mentality seems to reign supreme.
I haven’t liked seeing this escalation for the last twenty plus years.
You’d almost think we worked for them.
Saudi Air forces and the U.S. got a looked at the armed version (mock up) at the recent Paris Air Show. Saudis have proposed to buy 100 and the same for the U.S. Counterinsurgency use. Made by Air Tractor of Olney, Texas
Woah. Ten hard points? Yah know... I can see a certain utility in that bad boy.
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