The OV10A Bronco
The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop-driven light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for COIN (counter insurgency) combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. It can carry up to three tons of external munitions, and easily loiters for three or more hours.
Current CalFIRE aircraft have had all of the armor and weapon systems removed. There is an additional 125 gallon fuel tank in the cargo bay allowing us to stay aloft over a fire for over 5 hours. CalFIRE OV10's have also been totally rewired to accommodate up to the date avionics and navigation systems, as well as all of the radios required for airtactical control of the fire.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF or CALFIRE) has acquired a number of OV-10As, including the six surviving aircraft from the BLM and 13 U.S. Navy in 1993 to replace their existing Cessna O-2 Skymasters as air attack aircraft. The CAL FIRE Broncos fly with a crew of two, a pilot and the Air Attack Officer, whose job it is to coordinate all aerial assets on a fire with the Incident Commander on the ground. Thus, besides serving as a tanker lead-in aircraft, the OV-10A is also the aerial platform from which the entire air operation is coordinated.
Current CalFIRE aircraft have had all of the armor and weapon systems removed. There is an additional 125 gallon fuel tank in the cargo bay allowing us to stay aloft over a fire for over 5 hours. CalFIRE OV10's have also been totally rewired to accommodate up to the date avionics and navigation systems, as well as all of the radios required for airtactical control of the fire.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF or CALFIRE) has acquired a number of OV-10As, including the six surviving aircraft from the BLM and 13 U.S. Navy in 1993 to replace their existing Cessna O-2 Skymasters as air attack aircraft. The CAL FIRE Broncos fly with a crew of two, a pilot and the Air Attack Officer, whose job it is to coordinate all aerial assets on a fire with the Incident Commander on the ground. Thus, besides serving as a tanker lead-in aircraft, the OV-10A is also the aerial platform from which the entire air operation is coordinated.
Specifications
North American Aviation Inc.OV-10A Bronco
Wing
North American Aviation Inc.OV-10A Bronco
Wing
- Airfoil Section: NACA 64sub2A-315
- Area (feet squared): 291.00
- Sweep (25% chord, degrees): 0.00
- Aspect Ratio: 5.51
- Taper Ratio: 1.00
- Chord (inches): 87.25
- Dihedral Angle (degrees): 0.00
- Incidence Angle from F.R.P.* (25% chord): 3.00
- Span (feet): 40.00
- Mean Aerodynamic Chord, (inches)
- Vertical distance from F.R.P.* (25% chord): 30.40
- Fuselage Station (25% chord): 187.88
- Type: NAA Double Slotted
- Area (total square feet): 38.00
- Max Deflection (degrees): 40.00
- Chord (percent of wing chord): 28.50
- Type: Sealed Internal Balanced
- Area (total square feet): 14.42
- Span (inches): 79.25
- Chord (percent of wing chord): 15.00
- Max Deflection (up/down, degrees): 25/25
- Spring Tab (outboard), Left/Right Ailerons
- Span (inches): 42.75
- Chord (percent of wing chord): 4.00
- Max Tab Deflection (up/down, degrees): 20/20
- Geared Tab (inboard), Left/Right Ailerons
- Span (inches): 36.50
- Chord (percent of wing chord): 4.00
- Max Tab Deflection (up/down, degrees): 25/25
- Type: Plate
- Span (inches, per side): 49.75
- Wing Station (in'bd to out'bd, inches): 104.25 to 154.00
- Chordwise Location (percent of wing chord): 58.70
- Max Projection (percent of wing chord): 7.625
- Airfoil Section: NACA 66-012(mod)
- Area (total square feet): 70.43
- Sweep (25% chord): 0.00
- Aspect Ratio: 3.02
- Taper Ratio: 1.00
- Chord (inches): 58.00
- Incidence Angle to F.R.P.* (degrees): 1.00
- Span (inches): 175.00
- Mean Aerodynamic Chord, (inches)
- Vertical Distance from F.R.P.*: 93.75
- Fuselage Station (25% chord): 429.012
- Area (total square feet): 18.90
- Span (inches): 167.622
- Chord (aft of hinge line, percent chord): 28.00
- Deflection (up/down, degrees): 35/25
- Trailing Edge Spring Tab (outboard)
- Span (inches): 83.80
- Chord: 3.75
- Deflection (up/down, degrees): 20/28
- Trailing Edge Geared Tab (inboard)
- Span (inches): 83.80
- Chord: 3.75
- Deflection (up/down % elevator travel, degrees): 75
- Airfoil Section: NACA 64sub1-A012
- Area (square feet): 32.44
- Sweepback (leading edge to F.R.P.*, degrees): 32.00
- Aspect Ratio: 1.37
- Taper Ratio: 1.00
- Root Chord (inches): 58.40
- Mean Aerodynamic Chord
- Vertical Distance from F.R.P.* (25% chord): 55.50
- Fuselage Station (25% chord): 400.44
- Horizontal Distance from Centerline of Airplane: 87.50
- Area (total square feet): 11.16
- Upper Tip Chord W.P. (inches): 77.71
- Deflection, Streamwise (right/left, degrees): 25/25
- Tire: Type III
- Size: 29 X 11-10 (11 X 10)
- Ply Rating: 8
- Rolling radius (inches): 12.90
- Flat Tire Radius (inches): 7.32
- Tire: Type III
- Size: 7.5 X 10
- Ply Rating: 8
- Rolling radius (inches): 11.09
- Flat Tire Radius (inches): 7.00
Performance: (CalFIRE Configuration)
Max Level Speed: 240 kts
Red Line: 250 kts
Endurance Cruise: 200 kts
Fire Orbit Speed: 120 kts
Fire Loiter Time: 5+ Hours
Range (Nautical): 900+ Miles long range;
850 miles high power
Take-off Distance (Fire Mission, 15deg @ S.L.): 1790 Feet
Landing Distance (Minimum fuel 15deg @ S.L.): >1000 Feet
Take Off Speed: 100 KIAS
Landing Speed: 90 KIAS
Total fuel on board: 2403 lbs
Max Level Speed: 240 kts
Red Line: 250 kts
Endurance Cruise: 200 kts
Fire Orbit Speed: 120 kts
Fire Loiter Time: 5+ Hours
Range (Nautical): 900+ Miles long range;
850 miles high power
Take-off Distance (Fire Mission, 15deg @ S.L.): 1790 Feet
Landing Distance (Minimum fuel 15deg @ S.L.): >1000 Feet
Take Off Speed: 100 KIAS
Landing Speed: 90 KIAS
Total fuel on board: 2403 lbs
