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.
on September 11, 2009 11:46 PM | Reply
Of course the competition stops if one is able to convince the USAF of all the other mission sets the Bronco can do that a single engine fighter/trainer can not do.
on September 12, 2009 7:57 AM | Reply
Oh Gawd.Another candidate for the Nostalgia Air Force!
Bring it Boeing!
on September 12, 2009 9:12 AM | Reply
Let's hope that the seats are upgraded and that the nose is strengthened to allow ditching without killing the pilot.
on September 12, 2009 6:08 PM | Reply
Not to mention a redesign that saves the crew's hearing. The OV-10 had the worst acoustic environment and their crews experienced the most hearing loss compared to other AF planes - at least according to one of my old AF audiologists.
Perhaps new engine/prop combinations? But given the relative locations, better sound attenuation would be more effective I think.
on September 13, 2009 4:39 AM | Reply
I like the Bronco a lot, but Boeing had best get off its hindquarters. The competition is already airborne.
on September 13, 2009 5:23 PM | Reply
"I like the Bronco a lot, but Boeing had best get off its hindquarters."
An intentional pun Mike? ;)
As long as it is not called the 'Bucking Bronco(!), kicks like a Mustang, fights like a ???'
My preference would be to rename it something more appropriate like the 'OV-10X Vampire', as it has yet again risen from the dead...
on September 13, 2009 9:08 PM | Reply
TL-
...der!
nah, just needed an editor.
I'd like to see it fly before I'll call it "undead."
Sure have been nice to have these over Astan the last few days.
on September 14, 2009 5:00 PM | Reply
For what they want it to do... there would be nothing better than the OV-10. Didn't the AF ask for a single engine aircraft? That is why I was backing the A-67 Dragon or the Super Tucano...But if two engines are ok for the competition then I would like to see this thing go for it. Nothing much can out maneuver, out turn the OV-10 not to mention the complete Situational Awareness with the big beautiful canopy.
on September 14, 2009 6:47 PM | Reply
Can anybody point me to any source, outside of the blog rumor mill, that says the PA-48 Enforcer is actually in consideration?
As far as I can tell, it was a nice idea someone had about 40 years ago that petered out and turned into museum pieces.
on September 15, 2009 3:59 PM | Reply
Since we seem to be moving towards a single air frame military is it smart to come to the table with a turbo prop aircraft with noted noise/hearing issues. I am personally against the single air frame concept but I am not sold on this air frame either. We can do much better if we are to have a manned surveillance airframe. The UAV’s are doing a great job and the current Bronco airframe is superfluous at best. Do not even get me started on the Enforcer, while it was a good airframe in its time that time is past.
on September 17, 2009 2:39 AM | Reply
PA-48 Enforcer is to large and would use to much fuel in an age of stressed budgets and climbing energy costs. Raise your hands if jet-A is still going to cost less than $3 dollars a gallon in ten years come on get real out there. The day of the multi-engine manned aviation jet platform for attacking low risk insurgent targets is over. It is only time now when a single-engine turboprop propeller driven unmanned aviation platform will be hunting and killing the bad guys using a gun packing a few Hell Fires as party favors. The costs are penciling out everyday as computer chips get smarter and faster and the cost of a barrel of oil climbs and more of the developing world (remember those people) wants a car in front of the mud huts. Gentleman all Boeing is trying to do is push the conversation at officer clubs around the world to start talking about a new world of attack "propeller" aviation platform that is coming. Now is the time to start to think how nations are going to control conflict and war in a age of growing volatile fuel prices and reduced military budgets, wake up and smell burnt jet-A gentleman and ladies the sand is shifting. How we apply hard force is going to change it has to and we all better start thinking how to use a single-engine turboprop "propeller" aviation platform manned or unmanned to take care of business over the battlespace the day has arrived. I'm working on how to take a single-engine turboprop fixed-wing platform and turn it into an in-flight refueling tanker able to refuel below 100 knots for unmanned class III and IV systems. Change is coming to aviation along with thinking how to use it to take care of business.
on September 18, 2009 3:48 AM | Reply
If we keep relying on UAVs, or RPVs, and keep thinking that is the future, we'll end up being back where we were in the late '50s and early 60s when everyone thought we'll never need an integral machine gun in fighters. The day of the dogfight never ended and neither has the day of the COIN aircraft. History folks! History!! I wish I could remember that Star Trek episode where the computer decided how many people got killed in the computer battle and the government just sent that many people to their death chamber. Uhgh...
on September 30, 2009 3:11 PM | Reply
Boeing is a stalking horse. The USAF ACC is purposely delaying the competition to allow HBC get "ready" to win. The presence of Boeing and Embraer allow the appearance of competition. USAF ACC has already awarded over 7M USD to Hawker to strengthen and make ready the AT-6 Texan II.
If I was Boeing, I would tell the Air Force "no thanks" yet Boeing cannot - if it wants a shot at the Tanker project (KC-67). Meanwhile US Military is already flying the only proven COIN aircraft in action at present: The EMB-314 Super Tucano. It is about 5 years ahead of any competition. Yet the USAF does not want competition. It wants the "appearance" of competition.
on November 4, 2009 6:03 PM | Reply
Buy A-10C's instead.