Forum: Air Power

Could advent of a reinvented, modernized, poor-mans' platform be imminent?

How far could these new systems be enabled, integrated and applied?

Perhaps a dozen relatively cheap OV-10X, operating from LHA, acting in numerous fleet defense and support roles - reducing need for certain fast-mover and rotor sorties?

US Army Super Tucano squadrons, in lieu of Sky Warrior, operating from roadways, as helo gunships cry out in fits of jealousy?

...Not to leave out the AF here.

Something more going on here, potentially more strategic in future structure?

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Add some (3-4) EODAS sensors that will allow continuous lower hemisphere coverage.

Also, don't forget the DIRCM.

The older Broncos were very versatile aircraft, always loved them! An added bonus was being able to haul a few troops in the back for special ops insertions too. Between that and a respectable payload, I'm surprised they were ever retired at all.

SM - almost any platform would be a current-day game-changer IMO, with those mentioned added systems. Any Service which is not sufficiently (and seamlessly) evolving and upgrading it's fleets will have to rely on unsustainable and miscalculated, or at best extremely (even historically) expensive 'whole new fleet' platform modernization alternatives.. It's about the management of acquisitions, IMO.

Stoli, IMO, Broncos were retired since the tech just wasn't there in the early-mid 90s to make them a valid system's platform to the potential they could be say in the near-future. In ODS (GWI) they were shot down and could only make such a limited impact on operations given basic ISR optics.

With much longer-ranged E/O IR and targeting systems today, better networking, and better passive warning/self-defense/SA, not to mention more precision stand-off-armament potential, such a 'slow-mover' can finally make an effective game-change in certain battle-spaces?

Love the modernized OV-10 Bronco proposal. Wonder how much it would cost to reinvent the production line from scratch however, and didn't the air forces new light fighter (COIN) aircraft call for a SINGLE engine?

On a side note is anyone familiar with the SM-27 Machete? See http://www.stavatti.com/MACHETE_HOME.html

Kinda reminds me of some Burt Rutan concepts. What do you guys think? Just a "paper airplane" or does the "Machete" have merit?

OV-10s didn't really operate from LHA/Ds, they more like hitched a ride. Taking off was fine, but landing one was alway a bit precarious.

Good point and thanks for the requirements, bjr... Smile

Definitely, with arrestor adaptations the solution to USMC OV-10X amphib deck ops could be made! Thumb

Anyone in the small/cheap COIN camp should read this article posted by Roscoe from Air & Space Magazine
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-avi ... amp;page=1

Great reading on a small/cheap/low-tech aircraft. Some of the A-37's stats are amazing!?! Shocked

TEG

Yeah, who would have ever thought that Cessna could produce something that small to perform in such a BIG way! Much like the A-4 Skyhawk, they sure were a tremendous aviation achievement. It was a testament to their legacy that the T-37 lasted so long as an Air Force trainer.

Besides, they had to be great to have "the Gums Seal of Approval"! Salute

The "Gums Seal of Approval" @#$%!!!!why can't I get the jingle for denture cream out of my head now! Poke

... TEG

Gums KNOWS Dragonflies. Cool

Personally if I were the one pulling the budget strings, any money available for a new COIN aircraft would go to building more F-22s. A-10s, AH-1Ws, AH-64s have been doing the COIN mission well in my opinion. What we have right now works. But if the USAF gets funding for a new COIN bird, then I'd go with this:

http://www.ov-10bronco.net/Technical/bo ... 009_01.pdf

If there are any capability gaps between the attack helicopters and the A-10, this should fill the void.

Yeah the OV-10 Bronco was an interesting bird was better engines/prop's and updated avionics that could really have been something! Shocked

I will confess to being slightly suspicious of Boeing's ability to stay on time and budget while reviving the Bronco Confused

- since it's production line is long since gone. You can find an interesting overview of the Bronco at http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft ... aft_id=147

And thanks for the PDF Discofishing!

Yeah, that Boeing PDF is pretty cool. It makes me understand what is missing in the A-10/AH-64 combination. The A-10 is missing a dedicated crewman to operate the sensors and weapons. A-10 pilots could get overloaded and crash the sucker into the ground. The Apache has the dedicated copilot/gunner, but doesn't have the range and speed the Bronco does. The Bronco also has cargo space which can be used for spec ops troops, more fuel, a cargo pallet, a gun as shown in the PDF and a number of other things. The Bronco can take off from amphibious assault ships,aircraft carriers, grass fields, and roads making it an aircraft that can have maintenance and ammo support close to the front lines. Here's a demonstration of the Bronco's rough field capabilities. I think this aircraft belongs to the German Air Force.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cew1R8MoDKw

Forum: Air Power

The USAF is seeking a COIN aircraft design