How many companies responded to the A-X competition in 1967?

Short answer

Six companies submitted aircraft proposals for the A-X, and of these, Northrop and Fairchild Republic were chosen to build prototypes. The year 1967 refers to the request for information that the USAF issued on March 6 of that year to 21 defense contractors.

Published: November 2, 2026 · Updated: November 2, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many companies responded to the A-X competition in 1967?

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II in flightAndrew Basterfield (CC BY SA), vía commons

From 21 invitations to six proposals

On March 6, 1967, the USAF circulated a request for information on the A-X to 21 defense contractors. Six companies went on to submit aircraft proposals, and Northrop and Fairchild Republic were the ones selected to build prototypes. Those prototypes were, respectively, the YA-9A and the YA-10A.

What the specification required

The RFP also specified a maximum speed of 460 mph (400 kn; 740 km/h), a takeoff distance of 4,000 ft (1,200 m), an external load of 16,000 lb (7,300 kg), a mission radius of 285 mi (460 km), and a unit cost of US $1.4 million.

The outcome of the competition

The YA-9 fully met the USAF's requirements, but on January 18, 1973, the YA-10 was declared the winner. Among the factors cited is that the Air Force may have preferred the already established TF34 of the YA-10 over the untested F102, as well as the fact that Fairchild had no alternative work and was unlikely to survive if it did not win the A-X contract. The announcement of the YA-10's selection for production came after testing and direct competition between the two prototypes.