North American Rockwell YOV-10A Bronco during Tri-Service trials in 1967

The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a light attack and observation aircraft that was developed through the United States Marine Corps Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LARA) program in the 1960s as a counter-insurgency (COIN) and forward air control (FAC) aircraft. The original concept was for a rugged, simple, multi-faceted, close air support aircraft that could handle armed reconnaissance and light strikes while operating with high loitering times from short and rugged runways.

Externally, the design of the Bronco was very unique in nature, sporting a high-mounted, straight monoplane wing assembly. Each wing fitted underslung engine nacelles with powerplants mounting a three-bladed propeller systems. The undercarriage was conventional with two main gears (fitted with single wheels) retracting into each engine nacelle underside and a nose gear (also fitting a single wheel)retracting forward. The Bronco maintained a twin boom layout extending aft to two vertical tail fins with the booms joined by a high-mounted horizontal tailplane. The fuselage was made up of a central nacelle fitted between the engines and positioned at the middle of the wing span.

The pilot and co-pilot sat in tandem in a full-windowed "greenhouse-style" cockpit with generally great visibility from any direction but to the rear. The cockpit was positioned as such that forward seat was held out well past the engines themselves. Both cockpit positions were afforded ejection seats for improved crew survivability ( helped along by the Broncos inherently rugged design and construction). The fuselage nacelle featured a cabin area at rear with space for could fit two medical litters and one medical attendant or five combat-ready infantrymen. Up to 3,200lbs of supplies could also be taken aboard if need be.

A "tri-service" specification for the Light Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LARA) was approved by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force was issued in late 1963. The specification called for a twin-engine, two-man aircraft that could carry at least 2,400 pounds of cargo. Various armaments to be carried included four 7.62 mm machine guns with 2,000 rounds, external weapons including a 20 mm gun pod and various sized rockets.