STOL on aircraft carrier (LHD)

Did it fly from a deck operating other types of aircraft – fixed wing or rotary wing? If so, how much did it effect deck operations?

Yip, a plane that never should have been retired and also never had its capabilities replaced by anything else. One of two legacy planes (besides the A-10) that should have seen a production restart long ago. And not untypical for the U.S. ****up it never flew for Army Aviation.

Dear Member,

The original specs for the program that the OV-10A won, required the aircraft to be able to operate from helicopter carriers of the Iwo Jima class. That is why it has the short wing span and special lift items.

Also, if you want to read a great book about the Bronco, find a copy of a LONELY KIND OF WAR about a USAF FAC in Vietnam who flew one and who illegally landed one on a road at night to rescue what was basically a CIA team of Chinese guns for hire doing reconn work and were being chased by the North Vietnamese. The USAF pilot did it for one good reason. When he was assigned to work for them, the CIA officer stated no matter what if he was shot down they would pull every thing they had from every mission to get him. Then one day a USAF pilot was shot down and landed in Cambodia and the powers that be did not know if they wanted to violate Cambodian territory with USAF, USN or US Army helicopters to rescue that pilot. The FAC working with the CIA put a call in. The CIA sent what they called a “Mike Team” and helicopters and got him. According to the author when that rescued pilot got back to base there was a serious fight that had to be broke up because his own would not come and get him.

Jack E. Hammond

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The C-130, U-2, and QSRA have all been operated off carriers without arresting gear or catapults as well, albeit off of larger CVs. (Just tested that is. Don’t know if they ever did it on a regular basis.)

account closed

Could anyone on the forum provide more information about the mid life upgrade of the Bronco, and in particular, what type of missions were they used for by the USN.

OV-10 crews performed many of the same missions that it refined during Vietnam… controlling airstrikes by AV-8Bs and A-6s, controlling Naval artillery, and relaying reports from Navy SEALS and other recon units.
http://www.ov-10bronco.net/index_desert_storm_10th_anniversary.cfm

The last series model, the OV-10D, saw action in the Persian Gulf War. This particular system was modernized to some extent with FLIR, video and laser designators. Among other improvements that included better engine performance and a more powerful 20mm three barrel cannon
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=147
http://www.ov-10bronco.net/technical.cfm

Jane’s Defence Weekly
April 12, 2006
By Joshua Kucera, JDW Staff Reporter, Washington, DC

The US Marine Corps is looking at the possibility of reviving the retired OV-10 Bronco observation aircraft for use in Iraq, according to a top service official. The aircraft, which was retired from US service in 1994, would be used to augment surveillance of roads in Iraq.
http://www.popasmoke.com/notam2/showthread.php?t=5563

One of my favourite types, alongside the A-4, A-6, A-7 and F-4. A great pity the Bronco didn’t see wider service – it would have been ideal for many roles. The OV-10 had an excellent warload, and good STOL characteristics. Sadly, it was less glamorous than the attack helo, and the Marines had the Harrier for fixed wing support.

Welcome to the Forum with a good selection of photos about a rather unsung aircraft. Wiki gives a pretty comprehensive history lesson on the aircraft and maybe it’s demise in U.S. service was due to the introduction drone technology.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-10_Bronco