Changes

Jump to navigation Jump to search
833 bytes added ,  21:41, June 20, 2008
New page: The '''A-5 Vigilante''' was a carrier-based long-range strike bomber. It was designed to replace the A-3 Skywarrior in the Navy [[nuclear de...
The '''A-5 Vigilante''' was a [[aircraft carrier|carrier]]-based long-range strike bomber. It was designed to replace the [[A-3 Skywarrior]] in the [[United States Navy|Navy]] [[nuclear deterrent role]].

==Design==

In 1953, [[North American Aviation]] began plans for a supersonic carrier-based bomber which could deliver nuclear weapons at long range. The [[United States Navy]], in need of an aircraft to replace the [[A-3 Skywarrior]], contracted the company to build it in 1956; the first prototype was two years and two days later in 1958. Although a large, unwieldy aircraft, it was surprisingly fast and maneuverable. It also featured a 'linear bomb bay', where the [[bomb]] was ejected back from the bomb bay at the same speed of the aircraft. This obliviated the need for forward-looking bombsights.

[[Category:Aircraft]]
Siteadmin, Administrators
989

edits

Navigation menu