OV-10 Production time

[Daryl Hunt]

Just learned that the production finally ran out n the OV-10 in 1972. The US version was produced from 1965 to 1969. The Export was from 1965 to 1972 and it's still flying all over the world. The PI wants to replace them but hasn't found a suitable replacement. The problem remains, the D+ has a top speed of 288kts, 30K ceiling.

The best of the lot was where the Marines upgraded the engine to get rid of the Underpowered problem, 4 blade props, FLIR and the ability to handle some of the Smart Bombs. They also extended the Fuselage both ways enabling it to carry even more cargo or troops and moved the pilots even further forward. This also gave the OV10D+ the best side, top,front visibility even today. Not real good to the rear since it would take a bubble canopy to do that. The Pilot was forward of the Prop Spinners. The D+ also had venting to put out less RFI for it's engines plus a few more tricks. Some of the improvements found it's way into both the A-10 and F-117 programs.

Some have called it a Coffin with wings. But operating like it does, down on the deck with people with Heat Seekers it's a very dangerous job. There have been almost 100 lost to Heat Seeking Missiles including one fired from a fighter. The D+ gets around that problem but the A (and various mods for export) was the primary one produced. The D+ is a modified A model with many of the right toys installed.

The model that is in Iraq right now is the D+ model and is 40 years old. But, unlike a fighter or the A-10, the OV-10 has the ability to zero out it's airframe.

The Defense Department has already stated that they weren't interested in the upgraded OV-10 at such and such time. But with the OV-X flyoff getting ready to happen there is a good chance the OV-10X will participate. Truthfully, none of the singe engined AC can come anywhere near to OV-10X.

 

[Manonthestreet]

Textron AirLand Scorpion - Development and Operational History, Performance Specifications and Picture Gallery

 

[Daryl Hunt]

Textron AirLand Scorpion - Development and Operational History, Performance Specifications and Picture Gallery

One of my favorites for light attack fighter. It would also make a great trainer except it not supersonic. It's closer in all areas to the AT-37.

But it won't be a good consideration for the OV-X program.

 

[Manonthestreet]

OV-X wont happen........nice to see you realize getting your 150 million dollaR f-35 holed by ground fire doing CAS is idiocy

 

[Daryl Hunt]

OV-X wont happen........nice to see you realize getting your 150 million dollaR f-35 holed by ground fire doing CAS is idiocy

Nice of you to notice something that isn't there and telling me what I think. And your figures are just made up. Right now (Today) an F-35A which is the most numeric, costs between 90 and 95 mil. By 2018, the cost will be down to 65 million per copy. And it should fall even further in cost as production goes insane in 2019.

The OV-X has to happen just like the B-21 and KC-46 must happen. We don't have a choice with Russia and China flexing their muscles all over the place and the aging fleet we currently have. The older F-15s and 16s as well as the really old F-18C/D should have been replaced already. The A-10 is different. They can't make anymore and it's nearing it's end of lifeas well. Right now, they can't do the OV-X flyoff but that's one of the easiest flyoffs. The Manufacturers have already spent the money to build at lest the first few. We won't have to have some rediculous XX millions of dollars to pay them to do what they have already done out of their own pockets. Two of the OV-X birds are ready for large production runs. As overseas buyers buy them, at some point, the US will have fill that gap. And the OV-10X can be flying within a month or two since Rockwells dies and production line is only in storage and not destroyed. Just not right now.

 

[Manonthestreet]

Fantasy.........thaNKS for admitting your F-35 is decaDE LATE AND STILL NOT WORKING which is why we fly old outdated platforms.......they will have to make more of them since F-35 will never carry the load....F35 will be most shot fighter in modern US history....whole search for workable cas platforms is an admission the F-35 is unsuitable....and that they are running out of money. If B-52s can fly forever so can A-10s.......Textron plane outperforms your prop plane.......plus its plug and play........like LCS was supposed to be but never will be

 

[Manonthestreet]

Fantasy.........thaNKS for admitting your F-35 is decaDE LATE AND STILL NOT WORKING which is why we fly old outdated platforms.......they will have to make more of them since F-35 will never carry the load....F35 will be most shot fighter in modern US history....whole search for workable cas platforms is an admission the F-35 is unsuitable....and that they are running out of money. If B-52s can fly forever so can A-10s.......Textron plane outperforms your prop plane.......plus its plug and play........like LCS was supposed to be but never will be

 

[Daryl Hunt]

Fantasy.........thaNKS for admitting your F-35 is decaDE LATE AND STILL NOT WORKING which is why we fly old outdated platforms.......they will have to make more of them since F-35 will never carry the load....F35 will be most shot fighter in modern US history....whole search for workable cas platforms is an admission the F-35 is unsuitable....and that they are running out of money. If B-52s can fly forever so can A-10s.......Textron plane outperforms your prop plane.......plus its plug and play........like LCS was supposed to be but never will be

A decade? Shirley you Jest, Gertrude.

The A model is IN production or ready to roll out the production line. There are 117 of them waiting for the finishing touches. The A is a full production. Almost anyone will hate the F-35 except those pilots lucky enough to train on them.

The F-35 had more than a few levels to make. First all, it must out dogfight a F-16. The Production model can. It's already been said by a Brit and a Norwiegen who are both training on it. The Brit is flying a British F-35B in South Carolina with the Marines and the Norweigen is training on the A at Nellis. They both like it ALOT. And don't go screaming "Cite" everyone has seen the cites already.

If you are going to shoot it then you had better do it from way outside it's range. Not likely since the F-35 has a huge advantage. If you spent the last week praying then you might get close to it. He's capable of doing over a 180 degree shot The best a 4th gen fighter with the missiles is 120 deg.

Having a cheap CAS/COIN/Spad bird makes sense. It made sense in Vietnam and it makes sense now. The Military just forgot that.

The Buff might make a 2.5 g move but that is it. A good fighter might make 9+gs. A good Attack bird might make a 9+g turn. The bird pulling 2.5G will always out last by decades the ones pulling 9+gs.

Just looked up the Textron Scorpion. Nice bird to to replace the T-37. They aren't billing it as a great atttack bird but with the T-37 gone (or almost gone) from the USAF, they are trying to get it certified (not purchased) by USAF. Without that, there is little chance of buyers beating a path to their doorways. Actually, there is a need to keep the hours high for a fraction of the cost of flying the Bombers and 4th and 5th gen fighters. But it's NOT a CAS/COIN/ or Sandy capable bird. It lacks the ability to take punishment. It lacks the range. It lacks the ability carry a decent payload. It's a modern day T-37, nothing more. Before you go off and scream, the little tweetybird was around for a very long time. But is the Scorpian needed if the AT-6 can do the same job of keeping flying hours up for the pilots without running the good stuff that is 10 times the pricetag to operate? Comparing it to the OV-10X is like comparing a prius to a dump truck. When you need a Prius you drive the Prius but when you need a dump truck, you drive a dump truck.

You do know you are just repeating yourself over and over. And I can't figure out why. But we all know it's Obamas fault anway.