# Bronco II suffers mishap during Armed Overwatch demonstration flight

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/07/bronco-ii-suffers-mishap-during-armed-overwatch-demonstration-flight/
- Published: 2021-07-19T10:29:00+01:00
- Author: Patrick Kenyette

A Bronco II intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft suffered
a landing gear incident during a routine preventive maintenance procedure earlier
this month.

The Bronco II aircraft is part of a demonstration flights for the United States 
Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM’s) [Armed Overwatch competition.](https://www.military.africa/2021/07/bronco-ii-suffers-mishap-during-armed-overwatch-demonstration-flight/military.africa/2018/03/bronco-ii-south-african-made-mwari-goes-to-the-us)

ADVERTISEMENT

The aircraft on 9 July suffered minor damage to its landing gear, and according 
to a Leidos spokesperson who told _Aviation Week_, the damage occurred “during a
preventative maintenance action.” Leidos didn’t specify if it was due to human error
or a technical problem was responsible, although it could be a combination of both.

“We are working with the customer to complete the necessary inspection and continue
showcasing the advanced capabilities of this aircraft,” the Leidos spokesperson 
said. The Bronco II aircraft will likely be flying again in the next few days.

The Bronco II a variant of the [**_Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft_** (AHRLAC)](https://www.military.africa/2021/07/bronco-ii-suffers-mishap-during-armed-overwatch-demonstration-flight/military.africa/2016/01/ahrlac-south-africas-deadly-ground-attack-plane?v=65d8f7baa677),
is a light reconnaissance and counter-insurgency aircraft made by AHRLAC Holdings,
a joint venture between the Paramount Group and Aerosud in South Africa.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Bronco II came to the spotlight recently when it was [selected](https://www.military.africa/2021/07/bronco-ii-suffers-mishap-during-armed-overwatch-demonstration-flight/military.africa/2021/05/us-socom-selects-bronco-ii-for-next-stage-of-armed-overwatch)
by the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to participate in the Armed
Overwatch flight demonstration.

In June this year, the Bronco II aircraft was [selected to enter the final phase](https://www.military.africa/2021/07/bronco-ii-suffers-mishap-during-armed-overwatch-demonstration-flight/military.africa/2021/06/bronco-ii-selected-for-final-phase-of-us-armed-overwatch)
of the U.S. Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) Armed Overwatch aircraft prototype
program.

The Bronco II program is being led by Leidos, Paramount USA, and Vertex, and have
been awarded a total of $19.3 million for prototype demonstrations.

ADVERTISEMENT

The aircraft is competing against the Textron Aviation Defence AT-6E Wolverine, 
L3 AT-802U Sky Warden, MAG Aerospace MC-208 Guardian and Sierra Nevada Corporation
M28/C-145 Wily Coyote.

The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) plans to procure 75 aircraft
for close air support (CAS), Precision airstrikes, and Intelligence, Surveillance
and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to support US Special Forces in counter insurgency
operations.

### _Related_