OA-37B Dragonfly: Super Observation/Attack Plane dynmicpara

An amazing observation/attack plane that pound-for-pound has yet to be surpassed is the A-37B Dragonfly. Able to fly at 500 mph to penetrate enemy air spaces in nation-state war, the Dragonfly can also slow down to 300 mph speed range to act as an Airborne Forward Air Controller (AFAC) with a right-seat observer to spot hiding enemies common to sub-national conflicts. If we were smart and had the will to win, we'd build or modify T-37s with new folding wings and employ them as ground-mobile AFACs to render effective 24/7/365 maneuver air support. Details:

http://www.geocities.com/usarmyaviationdigest/fighterinabox.htm

The words of former Iraqi Coalition Authority Director of Air Ops, Major General George Molan, Australian Defence Forces:

"Even in this, the highest technology war in history, there is a role for a man in a light manoeuvrable aircraft who can use his initiative, report and transfer data, remain on station with the ground troops day and night and most importantly, establish a personal relationship with the warriors.

I do not accept the argument that a manned aircraft cannot be used ... due to the threat. I believe that this argument has been confused by the control of training and operations of the aircraft by the U.S. Air Force in Iraq.

The threat to the pilot of ... aircraft in Iraq operations ... is far less than to the equivalent Soldier on the ground in an equally expensive and complicated armoured vehicle. The benefit in having a pilot in the loop in talking to troops on the ground is priceless, particularly in less highly technically advanced armed forces.

The threat to a pilot manoevring low to optimise his effectiveness is not at all unreasonable in an Iraq-like insurgency. Threat is relative and should not be judged by highly sophisticated U.S. standards."

Want to know more?

Our book, "Air-Mech-Strike: Asymmetric Maneuver Warfare for the 21st Century" is ONLINE for FREE skyjacked by Google!

http://books.google.com/books?id=RCWtHnYZ0LMC&pg

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• A-37B
• OA-37B
• dragonfly
• CAS
• MAS
• AFAC
• FAC
• JTAC
• ETAC
• COIN
• counterinsurgency
• stuka
• p-47
• sturmovik

[BlacktailFA]

That's not just another "combat-converted trainer" you're looking at --- the A-37 is living aviation history! It's accomplishments include;

- No A-37 prototypes; straight from concept, to production, to COMBAT.

- 700 were built, ultimately serving 15 nations.

- Can double range by flying on ONE engine.

- Costs less than $4 Million each.

- Can fly while carrying it's weight in ordnance!

[rezac0806]

The greatest airplane of all time and truly "Last of the Sport Models."

[cobrachoppergirl]

I'd still rather have an ME-262, or a T-33 Shooting Star. A-10 probably wouldn't be too bad either. Hell, just give me anything, a bathtub with wings, I'll fly the hell out of it..