Interesting Story On This Site

[rallymodeller]

Whilst doing research for my latest buildup (pics coming soon), I came across this site by one of the developers of the OV-10 Bronco: The OV-10 Story: Innovation vs. "The System". Told by one who was there.

On top of that, the designer (KP Rice) is working on a design for a flying car (!) and also has posted his original proposal that gave impetus to the entire LARA program (that eventually gave birth to the Bronco). WARNING: People who dislike McNamara will gain even further ammo against him here...

Side note: The book Mr. Rice references in "THe OV-10 Story", A Lonely Kind of War by Marshall Harrison, is a MUST READ for any combat aviation enthusiast. I had a copy of this at one time but it has, sadly, gone missing. Looking for another, anyone have it?  

[elmayerle]

At least as of the early 1990s, BuWeps hadn't improved, either.  They were the ones who put together the database that led to the F-18E/F instead of further F-14 developments and there's reason to believe they slanted the info because Grumman had caught them trying to shuffle costs of their "Oops" onto Grumman and took them to court, and won, about it.  From what I've heard, the costs had to do with re-engining the F-14 with the F110 and dealt with F110 redesign costs because the US Government couldn't supply the upgraded flight control computers needed for the original, contracted, approach to fitting the longer engine bay.  As a result, the data sent "up the ladder" was suposedly slanted against Grumman.

[Maverick]

Seriously, what is it with these groups that constantly hamper the effective designing of aircraft, especially combat aircraft.  Nearly anything you read will always mention the lack of targets and expense of the AIM-54 series, but still that sort of range and targetting ability has to be useful.  This everything in the one basket approach is getting a little stale if you ask me.  The 'swing role' concept is all well and good, but look at Tornado, it soon evolved into two distinct types.  Multi-service aircraft are a brilliant concept, but I've yet to see one, barring the Phantom that has seriously put that particular idea to fruition.

Regards,

Mav

[Jschmus]

There's some interesting stuff in there, like their proposal for arming the OV-10 with an integral recoilless rifle or a flamethrower.

[Archangel]

Seriously, what is it with these groups that constantly hamper the effective designing of aircraft, especially combat aircraft.  Nearly anything you read will always mention the lack of targets and expense of the AIM-54 series, but still that sort of range and targetting ability has to be useful.  This everything in the one basket approach is getting a little stale if you ask me.  The 'swing role' concept is all well and good, but look at Tornado, it soon evolved into two distinct types.  Multi-service aircraft are a brilliant concept, but I've yet to see one, barring the Phantom that has seriously put that particular idea to fruition.

Regards,

Mav

I couls see where it would have been handy to have on Sept 11 2001 if there had been adequate warning and then a need to fire to keep the aircraft from hitting their targets. At least with an AIM-54 the reach would have been far greater then if they had to use anything else.