In 1962, the US Air Force Special Weapons Center began defining the requirements for a new counter-insurgency aircraft. These were based on experience gained from military operations in Asia and Africa. For this purpose, two T-37C aircraft were brought to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. After testing, it was determined that greater weapons payload, increased range, new turbojet engines with higher thrust, and structural modifications to facilitate field maintenance were necessary.
In 1963, a contract was signed with Cessna for the construction of a prototype designated YAT-37D, meeting the requirements established by the Special Weapons Center. In October 1963, a Cessna test pilot made the maiden flight of the new attack aircraft. After comprehensive testing, the attack aircraft designated AT-37D was produced in a quantity of 39 examples. In August 1967, 25 aircraft under the new designation A-37A were subjected to a demanding combat test in Vietnam.
The experience gained allowed the start of large-scale production of a new, improved version designated A-37B by the end of that same year. The aircraft was powered by new J-85 engines from General Electric, with their afterburners removed. The engine thrust was sufficient to meet the requirements set for the new aircraft. The aircraft’s range was increased thanks to fuel tanks mounted on the wingtips. All fuel tanks were self-sealing (protection against leaks in case of bullet hits).
The new requirements led to strengthening the fuselage and wing structure, as well as the addition of cockpit floor armour plating. The landing gear was reinforced and the wheels received wider tyres, allowing takeoff and landing on poorly prepared airfields.
The aircraft received fixed gun armament mounted in the forward fuselage. It was a rapid-fire, rotary 6-barrel “Minigun” machine gun, 7.62 mm calibre, with a rate of fire of 6,000 rounds/min and an ammunition supply of 1,500 rounds. Various types of conventional bombs and unguided rockets were carried on 8 pylons under the wings. The aircraft received a gunsight and basic radio equipment for communications, navigation and identification. The modifications improved flight safety and the aircraft’s combat effectiveness.
A total of 577 A-37B aircraft were produced, of which 254 were delivered to the air force of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). In 1975, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) invaded the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). As a result of military operations, Vietnam was forcibly reunified. Most of the captured A-37Bs were put into service with the socialist Vietnamese air force. The aircraft were subsequently used in military operations in Kampuchea.
Returning from Vietnam, A-37B aircraft of the United States Air Force were transferred to the Air National Guard. About 130 aircraft of this type, redesignated OA-37B, were operated by the US military aviation. They served for observation and forward air control, directing fighter-bombers to spotted targets. In the mid-1990s, OA-37B aircraft were finally retired from service with the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force. A-37B aircraft were used in several Central and South American countries, where they also participated in various local wars. A total of 169 aircraft were transferred there as military aid, of which 110 were brand new from the manufacturer.
The aircraft in the Museum’s collection arrived in Poland from Vietnam in 1977 together with a Northrop F-5E Tiger II. Various technical research was conducted on it for many years. As a result, the aircraft was stripped of many components. In 2015, the exhibit underwent conservation and received the livery of an aircraft from the 520th Fighter Squadron, 74th Tactical Wing, 4th Air Division of the Vietnamese Air Force.
| Wingspan | 10.93 m |
| Length | 8.93 m |
| Takeoff weight | 6350 kg |
| Maximum speed | 816 km/h |
| Ceiling | 12730 m |
| Range | 1628 km |
| Armament | Described in text |
| Engine | 2 x J85-GE-17A with 2 x 2270 kG thrust |
