YA-9A prototypes, designed by Northrop in the mid 1970s, the YA-9 Ground Attack Aircraft was developed in response to a request by the US Air Force for a rugged, close air support aircraft capable of destroying the heaviest Soviet tanks and armored vehicles. Envisioned as a "flying tank" the A-9 was designed with low level survivability in mind. With redundant flight control systems and aluminum alloy armor 1.25 to 2.5 inches thick protecting all vital areas, the A-9 could withstand multiple direct hits from Soviet 23mm anti-aircraft cannons. The twelve under-wing weapons pylons could carry nearly every ordnance combination in the Air Force inventory.

Photo by Bob Nelson on Thursday, August 11, 1994 at the March Air Force Base, Riverside, CA.