U-3A

The Cessna U‑3A is a military adaptation of the civilian Cessna 310 twin‑engine light aircraft, introduced to United States Army service in 1955. Developed shortly after the 310’s 1953 debut, the U‑3A provided a reliable, low‑maintenance platform for liaison, transport, and light‑utility missions during the early Cold War era. Powered by two Continental O‑470‑R 225‑horsepower horizontally‑opposed engines driving constant‑speed propellers, the aircraft could cruise at 225 knots, reach a service ceiling of 25,000 feet, and haul up to five occupants or 1,200 pounds of cargo across a 650‑nautical‑mile range. Its all‑metal low‑wing construction, retractable landing gear, and simple avionics made it well suited for operations from rough airstrips and forward bases. The U‑3A served extensively in Europe and Southeast Asia, where it carried officers, delivered parts, and performed medical‑evacuation flights during the Vietnam conflict. Though later superseded by more advanced helicopters and turboprop transports, the U‑3A demonstrated the value of twin‑engine reliability for army aviation and helped shape the development of later utility aircraft such as the C‑12 Huron. Its modest design and dependable performance left a lasting imprint on military liaison aviation.

Cessna

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