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Mensaje: <blockquote data-quote="Nocturno Culto" data-source="post: 1488688" data-attributes="member: 6896">Eso es parte del Close Air Support, pero no necesariamente el punto central."The need for a CAS and ground attack aircraft designed specifically for those roles was apparent and in the spring of 1970, the AX System Program Office was established at the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. On May 8, 1970, the AX SPO issued a request for proposal to 12 aircraft manufacturers. Six of the 12 companies who received the RFP responded with proposals: Boeing, Cessna, Fairchild Hiller, General Dynamics, Lockheed and Northrop. On Dec. 18, 1970, the Northrop and Fairchild Hiller entries were selected for prototype construction. The USAF intended to test the prototype aircraft in a "Fly Before Buy" competition.  Because the AX aircraft would be used primarily in support of ground troops, the Army had significant input into the necessary characteristics of the aircraft. The AX needed "to perform in close coordination with ground troops, in a high intensity, small-arms fire environment, and for extended periods of time with a high payload. The requirement for fast response to Army needs is to be met three ways: 1) the aircraft will have short takeoff and landing (STOL) characteristics and rugged landing gear which will permit it to operate from unimproved landing fields; 2) it will have a long loiter time, giving it the capability to remain over the battlefield where it will be on call at a moment's notice; and 3) the aircraft will have a rather high cruise speed to allow rapid deployment from home field to battle area, or from one battle area to another. The AX should be able to take off and land from 2,000-foot runways" (Armed Forces Journal, October 1970).  One of the primary requirements of the AX RFP was the ability to carry the GAU-8 30mm cannon; however, this weapon did not exist at the time and a separate RFP for the GAU-8 was issued on Nov. 16, 1970.  On March 1, 1971, the Northrop AX prototype was designated A-9 and the Fairchild Hiller AX prototype was designated A-10. In June the GAU-8 competitive design and prototype construction contracts were awarded to General Electric and Philco Ford.  The A-10 prototype flew for the first time on May 10, 1972, followed by the A-9's first flight on May 30, 1972. The fly-off competition was held between Oct. 10, and Dec. 9, 1972. On Jan. 18, 1973, the Fairchild Hiller (Fairchild Republic by this time) entry was declared the winner and a $160 million contract was signed for 10 pre-production aircraft (YA-10) on March 1. The contract awarded for the development and construction of 32 General Electric TF34 turbofan engines was also signed on March 1."<a href="http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3196">AX CLOSE AIR SUPPORT PROJECT</a></blockquote>

Verificación: Libertador de Argentina