The Super Armored Aircraft That Was Impossible to Shoot Down
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The Northrop YA-9 Prototype is a dedicated CAS plane featuring a shoulder-wing monoplane design and aluminum construction. During the Vietnam War, when men on the ground called for close air support, the YA-9 Prototype approached the area without hesitation, the twin turbofan below its wings’ roots ready for a swift and precise bombing run.
Perfecting The CAS Platform
After WWII, the US placed more of its military emphasis on the CAS. However, the complexities of the Vietnam War exposed the limitations of using WWII planes against more sophisticated anti-aircraft defenses like SAMs, RPGs, and heavy machine guns. This eventually led to the initiation of the A-X Program in 1966.
Making The A-X Program
According to criteria set by the USAF, the aircraft should be able to fly low and slow, above jungle canopies or similar terrains to effectively target enemy infantry.
The A-X fighter needed to have robust survivability against ground fire. To ensure optimal survivability, the armor needed to be strong enough to repel enemy countermeasures but lightweight enough to keep it maneuverable.
The program also specified a longer loiter time over battlefields for sustained operations over a target area. Also, what set the CAS fighter apart from other fighters was its emphasis on straight or high-lift wings that could offer better control and survivability at lower speeds.
The YA-9
Test pilots gladly received Northrop’s prototype. The fighter reached a top speed of over 520 mph and handled like a fighter plane with excellent maneuverability. Overall, the YA-9 Close Air Support Aircraft had a maximum takeoff weight of 41,800 pounds.
Ultimately though, the A-10 won the contract in January 1973 and was awarded to Fairchild. The USAF also acknowledged that the YA-9 did an outstanding job and satisfactorily met all the CAS requirements. They said that the selection of the A-10 over the YA-9 was because of Fairchild’s comprehensive testing program and advanced development of its engines, delivering a superior performance.
