OV-1D Mohawk

The OV-1D Mohawk is a twin‑engine, turboprop observation aircraft built by Grumman for the United States Army in the early 1960s. Developed from the earlier OV‑1B model, the D variant incorporated a more powerful Allison T56‑A-7 engine, reinforced airframe, and advanced avionics that allowed extended low‑altitude surveillance and target acquisition missions. First flight took place on 22 May 1964, and the type entered service in 1965, serving primarily with Army aviation units in the Vietnam War and later in Europe during the Cold War. The aircraft’s key features include a side‑by‑side cockpit, a detachable nose section that housed a side‑looking airborne radar (SLAR) and infrared line‑scan system, as well as a distinctive high‑wing configuration that provided excellent visibility and short‑field performance. Its endurance of up to eight hours and ability to operate from unprepared strips made it ideal for artillery adjustment, battlefield reconnaissance, and electronic intelligence gathering. Although retired from U.S. service in the early 1990s, the OV‑1D left a lasting legacy as one of the first purpose‑built fixed‑wing platforms to integrate real‑time sensor suites, paving the way for modern ISR aircraft.

Grumman

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Design & Classification