x35147d3@usma8.usma.edu (Bergman Charles CDT) (01/23/91)
From: x35147d3@usma8.usma.edu (Bergman Charles CDT)
Well,
The OV-10 Bronco is a US Marine and USAF observation aircraft used to call in
artillery fire or close air support. It spots enemy positions and can mark the
target with a white phosphorous rocket. The Bronco was used in Vietnam by the
The USMC and USAF to replace other O-1 and O-2 aircraft.
The Bronco has a crew of two and a twin boom fuselage with twin turboprops. It
can take off in a very short distance and is lightly armed and can carry
additional rocket pods. It is a light airframe and does not have much range.
The USMC developed their own OV-10D (Delta version) with FLIR systems
in the nose to spot enemy positions in the night. The OV-10D also can carry
additional armament such as a 20-mm 3 barrel cannon (like the Marine Cobra
helicopter) on the bottom of the plane. The OV-10D is very good at night. The
OV-10s in the Corps are arranged into VMO squadrons.
It is noted that the US Navy operated Broncos in Vietnam in assistance to its
helicopter gunships supporting the "Brown water Navy"...
The USAF has many Broncos and began replacing them with OA-10 Warthogs in Korea
a few years ago.
Additionally, The Bronco has a unique cargo compartment behind the wing which
hold three parachutists. I have seen US Marine RECON teams dropped out of
Broncos! Very interesting, but outside of the primary mission of spotting
targets.
The Bronco shot down over Kuwait had the squadron CO in the pilots seat and a
warrant officer in the second seat. The Marines had plans to withdraw the
Bronco from service and already stopped the Bronco "pipeline" (the slots for
new pilots).
A very unique airplane!
Charles K. Bergman
CDT USMA '93
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