The OV-10 Bronco, which first flew July 16, 1965, was a twin-turboprop, short takeoff- and-landing (STOL) aircraft and was the first aircraft produced especially for close support operations during limited warfare. Its mission capabilities included observation, forward air control, helicopter escort, armed reconnaissance, gunfire spotting, utility, and limited ground attack. North American Aviation delivered a total of 157 OV-10As to the U.S. were to the Air Force before production ended in 1969. It continued to operate for countries other than the United States through 1998.