The Grumman OV-1 Mohawk was a light tactical reconnaissance aircraft which had an extensive service life with the US Army stretching as early as the Vietnam War to the Gulf War. Built for the US Army, it was designed as a battlefield surveillance aircraft with a premium on survivability, hence it was heavily armored despite a frail appearance, but also equipped with a wide variety of electronic sensors and -initially- even light armament (later removed). Among the OV-1s roles were observation, artillery spotting, air control, emergency resupply, naval target spotting, liaision and radiological monitoring. It saw most of its combat during Vietnam where it was capable of reaching its targets more quickly than conventional aircraft thanks to its ability of operating from forward operating bases but it went on to see action in the Gulf War and was retired from service two years after its replacement, the OV-10. Export clients of the Mohawk were South Korea and Argentina.

Originally known as the G-134, the Mohawk began life as the YAO-1 development aircraft which first flew on 14 April 1959. It entered Army service as the OV-1A and was later fitted with side-looking airborne radar and dual controls in the OV-1B. At the same time, the OV-1C was designed featuring infra-red ground surveillance equipment and uprated engines in some later units. Lastly, these and other improvements were incorporated into the definitive OV-1D to which earlier variants were eventually converted. A recon variant used for radar spotting is the RV-1D.