A-6 Intruder
The A-6 Intruder was an all-weather attack bomber for the United States Navy. It was first delivered in 1963.
Design
In the 1960s, the Navy was looking for a replacement and complement for the A-4 Skyhawk and the A-7 Corsair II, neither of which was equipped with avionics to attack in all weather. A replacement aircraft was also needed for the WWII-vintage A-1 Skyraider.
Grumman received the contract for the two-seat attack aircraft in 1959, constructing the first prototypes that same year. The first A-6As were delivered to VA-42 of the Navy, and the Marine Corps also purchased some aircraft.
Service
The aircraft quickly proved invaluable in the fighting in Southeast Asia. Its advanced electronics allowed it to fly in all weather, and it could carry a large bombload. When a pair of A-6 bombers with 17,000 pounds of bombs aboard demolished a power plant in Haiphong, the North Vietnamese accused the U.S. military of using B-52 Stratofortresses against the city! In spite of the aircraft's advanced weaponry, 84 were shot down over North Vietnam.
In December 1984, Intruders and A-7 Corsairs struck Syrian positions in Lebanon, after the Syrians had fired SAMs at Navy F-14s on reconnaissance. The strike hit several artillery and radar sites, but one A-6 was lost to a SAM, the pilot being killed and the bombardier-navigator being captured.[1]
A-6 aircraft were also useful in the bombing of Libya in 1986; they proved effective in the Gulf War in 1991.
Variants
A-6B
The A-6B was equipped to carry the AGM-78 Standard ARM, rather than the less common AGM-12 Bullpup.
A-6C
The A-6C had video camera and FLIR (forward looking infrared) technology, enabling it to reach targets in any weather or terrain.
KA-6D
The KA-6D was the Navy's main tanker from 1966 to 2001, when it was replaced by special versions of the F-18 Hornet.
A-6E
The A-6E was the most technologically advanced. It was equipped to carry high powered navigation/attack radar, laser bomb capability, and a video camera to record the damage done on a mission.
EA-6 Prowler
Main article: EA-6 Prowler
Retirement
The A-6 has been replaced by the F-18 Hornet.
Specifications
| Type | Two-seat carrier-based attack aircraft |
| Contractor | Grumman |
| Power plant | Two Pratt & Whitney 9,300 pounds of thrust J52-P-8A turbofans |
| Length | 54 feet, 9 inches |
| Height | 16 feet, 2 inches |
| Speed | 655 miles per hour |
| Wingspan | 53 feet |
| Empty weight | 25,684 pounds |
| Crew | Two |
| Unrefueled range | 2000 miles |
| Maximum Weight | 58,400 pounds |
| Armament | Assorted guided and unguided bombs, Harpoon missiles, Standard ARMs, and cluster bombs up to 18,000 pounds |