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New page: The A-7 Corsair II was a light bomber and attack aircraft used primarily by the Navy. It was intended as a complement and eventually a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk. ==Design== ...
The A-7 Corsair II was a light bomber and attack aircraft used primarily by the Navy. It was intended as a complement and eventually a replacement for the [[A-4 Skyhawk]].
==Design==
The [[United States Navy|Navy]] wanted an aircraft with increased range and payload to replace the A-4. Several companies, including [[Grumman]], [[Douglas]], and North American tried for the contract, but eventually it was Vought who received the contract.
Vought built the aircraft in a remarkably short time, mostly because it was basically the same design as the [[F-8 Crusader]]. The first test aircraft (named after the World War II fighter) were delivered in 1964.
After a period of onshore testing, the A-7 was delivered to VA-147 on the [[USS ''Ranger'']] in 1966. The [[United States Air Force| Air Force]] also bought a more highly powered version for light ground support.
==Service==
The A-7s combat debut came in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], where it was effective in attacks on North Vietnamese MiG bases and on the [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]] in [[Laos]]. One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six A-7s with Mark 55 mines, supported only by several [[F-4]]s and two [[EA-6 Prowler]]s, mined [[Haiphong Harbor]] in 1972. Despite doubts by some military leaders, the aircraft held its own against supersonic jets.
==Versions==
===A-7B===
The A-7Bs had the more powerful Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-8 engine, which provided 12,200 pounds of thrust. These airplanes were the primary A-7 version in [[Vietnam]].
===A-7C===
The A-7Cs were modified to carry the 13,400 pounds of thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] TF30-P-408 engine.
===A-7D===
The A-7Ds were the first to carry the M61A-1 Vulcan cannon in the fuselage. They also were equipped with laser-guided bombs.
===A-7E===
The A-7Es had an Allison/Rolls-Royce engine which provided 15,000 pounds of thrust. It also was equipped with forward looking infrared (FLIR) equipment which enabled it to fly at night.
==Later service==
Navy A-7s were still effective in the first Gulf War, using Walleye TV guided bombs, HARMs, and laser bombs to attack Iraqi targets. Tanker A-7s also performed well.
By the second Gulf War, the A-7s had been retired. The last mission of A-7s in active duty was the testing of anti-radar equipment for the [[F-117]]. The plane has been replaced in the Navy by the [[F-18 Hornet]] and in the Air Force, the [[A-10]].
[[Category: Aircraft]]
==Design==
The [[United States Navy|Navy]] wanted an aircraft with increased range and payload to replace the A-4. Several companies, including [[Grumman]], [[Douglas]], and North American tried for the contract, but eventually it was Vought who received the contract.
Vought built the aircraft in a remarkably short time, mostly because it was basically the same design as the [[F-8 Crusader]]. The first test aircraft (named after the World War II fighter) were delivered in 1964.
After a period of onshore testing, the A-7 was delivered to VA-147 on the [[USS ''Ranger'']] in 1966. The [[United States Air Force| Air Force]] also bought a more highly powered version for light ground support.
==Service==
The A-7s combat debut came in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], where it was effective in attacks on North Vietnamese MiG bases and on the [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]] in [[Laos]]. One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six A-7s with Mark 55 mines, supported only by several [[F-4]]s and two [[EA-6 Prowler]]s, mined [[Haiphong Harbor]] in 1972. Despite doubts by some military leaders, the aircraft held its own against supersonic jets.
==Versions==
===A-7B===
The A-7Bs had the more powerful Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-8 engine, which provided 12,200 pounds of thrust. These airplanes were the primary A-7 version in [[Vietnam]].
===A-7C===
The A-7Cs were modified to carry the 13,400 pounds of thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] TF30-P-408 engine.
===A-7D===
The A-7Ds were the first to carry the M61A-1 Vulcan cannon in the fuselage. They also were equipped with laser-guided bombs.
===A-7E===
The A-7Es had an Allison/Rolls-Royce engine which provided 15,000 pounds of thrust. It also was equipped with forward looking infrared (FLIR) equipment which enabled it to fly at night.
==Later service==
Navy A-7s were still effective in the first Gulf War, using Walleye TV guided bombs, HARMs, and laser bombs to attack Iraqi targets. Tanker A-7s also performed well.
By the second Gulf War, the A-7s had been retired. The last mission of A-7s in active duty was the testing of anti-radar equipment for the [[F-117]]. The plane has been replaced in the Navy by the [[F-18 Hornet]] and in the Air Force, the [[A-10]].
[[Category: Aircraft]]