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Re-organized, service in the 80s
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.
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.
==Versions==
==Versions==
===A-7B===
===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]].
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===
===A-7C===
The A-7Cs were modified to carry the 13,400 pounds of thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] TF30-P-408 engine.
The A-7Cs were modified to carry the 13,400 pounds of thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] TF30-P-408 engine.
===A-7D===
===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.
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===
===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.
==Service==
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.
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.
Corsairs saw combat again ten years later, in strikes on [[Syria]]n positions in [[Lebanon]] in December 1984.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_278.shtml Disaster in Lebanon]</ref> They also saw action against [[Libya]] in 1986, and against [[Iran]]ian targets in the [[Persian Gulf]] during Operation Praying Mantis in April 1988.
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.
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]].
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]].
[[Image:A 7E Corsair II.JPG]]
[[Image:A 7E Corsair II.JPG]]
==References==
<references/>
[[Category: Aircraft]]
[[Category: Aircraft]]
[[Category:United States Navy]]
[[Category:United States Navy]]