Northrop A-9AX

Description

In the late 1960s, the United States Air Force initiated the Attack Experimental (A‑X) program to develop a new close air support (CAS) aircraft capable of operating from forward airfields, sustaining heavy battle damage, and delivering accurate firepower in support of ground troops. Among the early competitors was Northrop Corporation, which proposed a unique turboprop‑powered aircraft optimized for endurance, survivability, and maintainability in combat environments.

Although innovative, the turboprop configuration was ultimately not selected when the A‑X program advanced to its jet‑powered phase in the early 1970s. Northrop subsequently developed the YA‑9A, a twin‑jet design, which competed directly with Fairchild Republic’s YA‑10A. Fairchild’s entry won the competition, evolving into the A‑10 Thunderbolt II.