The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American twin-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.
| 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 (2015–present) |
| Primary users | United States Marine Corps (historical) United States Air Force (historical) United States Navy (historical) Philippine Air Force |
| Produced | 1965–1986 |
| Number built | 360 |
Specifications (OV-10D)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: cargo compartment for personnel (no seats) or 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) of freight
- 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: 291.0 sq ft (27.03 m2)
- Airfoil: NACA 64A315
- Empty weight: 6,893 lb (3,127 kg)
- Gross weight: 9,908 lb (4,494 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 14,444 lb (6,552 kg) (overload)
- Fuel capacity: 252 US gal (210 imp gal; 950 L) internal
- Powerplant: 2 × Garrett T76-G-420/421 turboprop engines, 1,040 shp (780 kW) each equivalent
- Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard, 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) diameter constant-speed fully feathering propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 250 kn (290 mph, 460 km/h) at sea level
- Combat range: 198 nmi (228 mi, 367 km)
- Ferry range: 1,200 nmi (1,400 mi, 2,200 km) with auxiliary fuel
- Service ceiling: 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
- Rate of climb: 3,020 ft/min (15.3 m/s)
- Take-off run: 740 ft (226 m)
- Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 1,120 ft (341 m)
- Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 2,800 ft (853 m) at MTOW
- Landing run: 740 ft (226 m)
- Landing run: 1,250 ft (381 m) at MTOW
- Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): 1,220 ft (372 m)
Armament
- Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.79 in) M197 electric cannon (YOV-10D) or 4 × 7.62×51 mm M60C machine guns (OV-10D/D+)
- Hardpoints: 5 fuselage and 2 underwing with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets: 7- or 19-tube launchers for 2.75 in FFARs/2.75 in WAFARs or 2- or 4-tube launchers for 5 in FFARs or WAFARs
- Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder on wings only
- Bombs: up to 500 lb (227 kg)
Photo Rob Vogelaar and Marcel van Leeuwen
