John Wharton is the Manager of the DoD Security Systems Analysis, Design, and Implementation Department at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM. John is assigned to Sandia’s Security Systems and Technology Center. This center was formed in response to the 1972 Munich Olympics and has been focused on the security of America’s most critical assets ever since. The center is engaged in a myriad of security related research and development projects as well as the analysis and implementation of anti-terrorism, force protection, and physical security system solutions. John is responsible for projects involving the analysis, design, implementation and life cycle sustainment of security systems in support of DoD and DOE. Before assuming his current position, John served as a Technical Team Leader, Principle Member of Technical Staff and Project Leader.
1990-2003, A-37 Dragonfly
From Year 1990
To Year 2003
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
A-37 Dragonfly Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly was born out of a need for close-support aircraft to assist in the Vietnam War. As such, the T-37 jet trainer was converted for the role and became the A-37 series of aircraft. The system would go on to see usage in that conflict and make its way into the inventories of other nations around the globe but in particular, throughout South America.
The A-37 differed from its training counterpart in that the Dragonfly was could field a variety of munitions on eight underwing hardpoints. Additionally, the crew of pilot and trainer was scaled down to a single pilot and increasingly powerful General Electric engines were used. The A-37A was the first of the Dragonfly series fielded and were bascially converted T-33 trainers with wintip fuel tanks and better engines. The A-37B model version featured larger fuel tanks, an inflight refuling probe for extended loitering time and a reinforced internal structure to combat the rigors of low-level combat. A Forward Air Control variant existed as the OA-37B.
Standard armament for the Dragonfly consisted of a six-barrel minigun. The underwing hardpoints could mount a variety of air-dropped munitions in the form of bombs. Additionally, the Dragonfly could engage ground targets with forward-firing high-explosive rockets and / or gunpods.
