The versatility and reliability of the Bronco make this aircraft an ideal JTAC training platform, with in-theater endurance topping five hours.
Blue Air Training, a global leader in Close Air Support training, adds powerful new training aircraft to the fleet. Blue Air Training recently acquired OV-10 Broncos to further support their mission to train America’s warfighters.
On Mar. 27, 2020 in fact, Blue Air Training announced in a news release that is integrating the highly reliable, cost effective, multi-purpose light attack OV-10 Category E “jet class” into training missions. The versatility and reliability of the Bronco make this aircraft an ideal Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training platform, with in-theater endurance topping five hours.
The iconic OV-10 was initially conceived in the early 1960s and designed for rugged, simple, close air support (CAS), integrated with reconnaissance and forward ground operations. The Bronco’s missions included observation, forward air control, helicopter escort, armed reconnaissance, gunfire spotting, utility and ground attack.
The OV-10 was used for decades and flew with three branches of the military, the US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps, along with several allied militaries. Besides the military, other US agencies who flew the OV-10 include NASA, State Department Air Wing, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to name a few. Most recently, US Special Forces have used the OV-10 in several operations in active theaters combating ISIS.
“As a career A-10 Pilot, I’ve always had a tremendous respect and appreciation for the OV-10 Bronco. Its unique look and mission focused design rings true to my heart. In our configuration of 8 bombs, 7 rockets, 2000 rounds, FLIR and LINK-16 there is no wonder why this aircraft was recently selected to take the fight to ISIS. For those very reasons the seven OV-10D+ and OV-10G Broncos we are adding to the Blue Air Close Air Support fleet are undeniably the best JTAC training platform in the air, anywhere.” – Founder and CEO, James “Chef” Barlow.
Photo credit: Blue Air Training
