Talyn
SAINT
The Vietnam War had demonstrated to the United States Air Force a need for a better CAS (Close Air Support) aircraft, along with the looming threat of the growing numbers of Soviet armor.
The Army had an obscure program designated the AAFSS (Advanced Aerial Fire Support System), which entailed the intention of developing a large compound helicopter to perform CAS duties. This program led to the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne attack helicopter.
These factors combined pressured the Air Force to initiate program A-X (Attack, Experimental) in mid-1966. Requirements would include having the endurance, weapons variety, and survivability traits similar to and superior to the aging Douglas A-1 Skyraider.
One from Northrop, designated the YA-9A, and one from Fairchild-Republic, known as the YA-10A, were accepted and two prototypes of each aircraft were ordered by the Air Force in Dec. 1970. Fairchild-Republic was eventually declared the winner on Jan. 18, 1973.
Designed primarily for daytime operations, the A-10 could operate during darkness utilizing illumination flares, but this was less than ideal.
In 1978 the Department of Defense (DOD) and Fairchild-Republic jointly funded the Night/Adverse Weather (N/AW) version development. Designed for all-weather, night attacks, the two-seat YA-10B was meant to operate at night to counter Soviet Cold War armor tactics, but only one was built.
theaviationist.com
theaviationgeekclub.com
However, the development of the LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system (podded) allowed for the pilot of the existing single-seat A-10 to do the job of two crew in the YA-10B at a much cheaper price.
BONUS
www.twz.com
The Army had an obscure program designated the AAFSS (Advanced Aerial Fire Support System), which entailed the intention of developing a large compound helicopter to perform CAS duties. This program led to the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne attack helicopter.
These factors combined pressured the Air Force to initiate program A-X (Attack, Experimental) in mid-1966. Requirements would include having the endurance, weapons variety, and survivability traits similar to and superior to the aging Douglas A-1 Skyraider.
One from Northrop, designated the YA-9A, and one from Fairchild-Republic, known as the YA-10A, were accepted and two prototypes of each aircraft were ordered by the Air Force in Dec. 1970. Fairchild-Republic was eventually declared the winner on Jan. 18, 1973.
Designed primarily for daytime operations, the A-10 could operate during darkness utilizing illumination flares, but this was less than ideal.
In 1978 the Department of Defense (DOD) and Fairchild-Republic jointly funded the Night/Adverse Weather (N/AW) version development. Designed for all-weather, night attacks, the two-seat YA-10B was meant to operate at night to counter Soviet Cold War armor tactics, but only one was built.
A Lone Two-Seater: The Story of the YA-10B Warthog
Designed for all-weather, night attacks, the two-seat YA-10B was meant to counter Soviet Cold War armor tactics, but only one was built. Project A-X The
theaviationist.com
The only two-seat Warthog ever built: the story of the YA-10B (formerly Night/Adverse Weather A-10)
The only two-seat Warthog CAS aircraft ever built: the story of the YA-10B (formerly Night/Adverse Weather A-10)
theaviationgeekclub.com
However, the development of the LANTIRN (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) system (podded) allowed for the pilot of the existing single-seat A-10 to do the job of two crew in the YA-10B at a much cheaper price.
BONUS
Early On, The A-10 Warthog's Legendary Gun Was Both a Blessing and a Curse
The Air Force had to make sure the massive cannon wouldn't blind the pilot, knock out the engines, and shake the plane apart.
www.twz.com
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