The OV-1D Mowhawk is a two-crew, twin-engine, turboprop observation aircraft. You may be wondering why I suggest an observation aircraft; well, this one had a bite to go with it.
HISTORY:
The OV-1 First flew In 1959, And was designed as an observation and reconnaissance aircraft. It saw action in multiple conflicts, most notably Vietnam. Its service with the US Army was uneventful for the most part; it suffered 68 losses, with only one being caused by an enemy aircraft and the rest being due to ground fire. In 1968, Captain Ken Lee managed to get the US Army’s first air-to-air kill since the formation of the US airforce; this kill was kept a secret until 2007 due to the fear that the Airforce would use the event to take control of the OV-1 fleet away from the US Army.
Amount produced: 380 from 1959-1970
Specifications
Top Speed: 305 MPH
Cruise Speed: 214 MPH
Engines: Lycoming T53
Range: 944 miles
Crew: 2 (pilot, observer/copilot)
Countermeasures: Onboard 60 (flare/chaff)
Electronics:
AN/APR-44 Radar Warning
AN/APR-39 Radar signal detection set
Transponder IFF
Weaponry
Rockets:
4x FFAR (19 rockets per pod) *4
4x Zuni (4 per pod)
Bombs:
2x Drop tanks
Areo 65A-1 bomb racks: 500lbs, 1000lbs
1x 2000lbs Bomb (centerline)
2x Napalm canisters
Guns:
12.7mm XM14 Gunpod (ammo: 750)
M75 40mm grenade launcher XM-13 (reportedly tested on the OV-1A See Images)
Other:
IRCM pod* 1 (only 1 at any time)
- yes
- no