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Grumman A-6 Intruder

January 26, 2023

The Grumman A-6 Intruder is an American twinjet all-weather attack aircraft developed and manufactured by American aircraft company Grumman Aerospace and operated by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

A-6 Intruder
KA-6D Intruder of Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34 "Blue Blasters")
Role Attack aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Grumman
First flight 19 April 1960
Introduction 1963
Retired 28 April 1993 (USMC)
28 February 1997 (USN)
Primary users United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
Produced 1962–1992
Number built 693
Developed into Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler

It was designed in response to a 1957 requirement issued by the Bureau of Aeronautics for an all-weather attack aircraft for Navy long-range interdiction missions and with short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability for Marine close air support. It was to replace the piston-engined Douglas A-1 Skyraider. The requirement allowed one or two engines, either turbojet or turboprop.[1] The winning proposal from Grumman used two Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engines. The Intruder was the first Navy aircraft with an integrated airframe and weapons system. Operated by a crew of two in a side-by-side seating configuration, the workload was divided between the pilot and weapons officer (bombardier/navigator (BN)). In addition to conventional munitions, it could also carry nuclear weapons, which would be delivered using toss bombing techniques. On 19 April 1960, the first prototype made its maiden flight.

The A-6 was in service with the United States Navy and Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, during which time multiple variants were prototyped and produced. Two of the more successful variants developed were the EA-6B Prowler, a specialized electronic warfare derivative, and the KA-6D tanker version.[2] It was deployed during various overseas conflicts, including the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. The A-6 was intended to be superseded by the McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II, but this program was ultimately canceled due to cost overruns. Thus, when the A-6E was scheduled for retirement, its precision strike mission was initially taken over by the Grumman F-14 Tomcat equipped with a LANTIRN pod.

Development

Background

As a result of the fair-weather limitation of the propeller-driven Skyraider in the Korean War and the advent of turbine engines, the United States Navy issued preliminary requirements in 1955 for an all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft. The U.S. Navy published an operational requirement document for it in October 1956. It released a request for proposals (RFP) in February 1957.[3] This request called for a 'close air support attack bomber capable of hitting the enemy at any time'. Aviation authors Bill Gunston and Peter Gilchrist observe that this specification was shaped by the service's Korean War experiences, during which air support had been frequently unavailable unless fair weather conditions were present.[4]

In response to the RFP, a total of eleven design proposals were submitted by eight different companies, including Bell, Boeing, Douglas, Grumman, Lockheed, Martin, North American, and Vought.[5] Grumman's submission was internally designated as the Type G-128.[4] Following evaluation of the bids, the U.S. Navy announced the selection of Grumman on 2 January 1958. The company was awarded a contract for the development of their submission, which had been re-designated A2F-1, in February 1958.[6]

 
YA2F-1 showing the original tilting tailpipes

Grumman's design team was led by Robert Nafis and Lawrence Mead, Jr.[4] Mead later played a lead role in the design of the Lunar Excursion Module and the Grumman F-14 Tomcat.[7] The team was spread between two sites, the company's manufacturing plant at Bethpage and the testing facilities at Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, Calverton. During September 1959, the design was approved by the Mock-Up Review Board.[4]

The A2F-1 design incorporated several cutting-edge features for the era. In the early 1960s, it was novel for a fighter-sized aircraft to have sophisticated avionics that used multiple computers. This design experience was taken into consideration by NASA in their November 1962 decision to choose Grumman over other companies like General Dynamics-Convair (the F-111 had computerized avionics capabilities comparable to the A-6, but did not fly until 1964) to build the Lunar Excursion Module, which was a small-sized spacecraft with two onboard computers.[citation needed]

Test program

The first prototype YA2F-1, lacking radar and the navigational and attack avionics, made its first flight on 19 April 1960,[8][9] with the second prototype flying on 28 July 1960.[10]

The test program required to develop the aircraft took a long time. The very advanced navigation and attack equipment required a lot of development and changes had to be made to correct aerodynamic deficiencies and remove unwanted features.[11] Extending the air brakes, which were mounted on the rear fuselage, changed the downwash at the horizontal tailplane which overloaded its actuator so the tailplane was moved rearwards by 16 inches (41 cm). Later evaluation of the aircraft showed that the airbrakes were not effective enough in controlling the speed of the aircraft and they were moved to the wing-tips.[12] Early production aircraft were fitted with both the fuselage and wingtip air brakes, although the fuselage-mounted ones were soon disabled, and were removed from later aircraft.[10] The trailing edge of each wing-tip split to form a much more effective speed-brake which projected above and below the wing when extended.

The rudder needed a wider chord at its base to give greater exposed area to assist spin recovery.

A major difference between the first six production aircraft and subsequent aircraft were the jet nozzles; close-air support by the Marine Corps required STOL performance to operate from forward airstrips. Jet deflection using tilting tailpipes was proposed. The performance benefits from varying the angle were not worthwhile, whether operating from short strips or carriers, and they were fixed at a 7 degree downward angle.[13]

Further development

During February 1963, the A-6 was introduced to service with the US Navy; at this point, the type was, according to Gunston and Gilchrist, "the first genuinely all-weather attack bomber in history".[14] However, early operating experiences found the aircraft to be imposing very high maintenance demands, particularly in the Asian theatre of operations, and serviceability figures were also low. In response, the Naval Avionics Lab launched a substantial and lengthy program to improve both the reliability and performance of the A-6's avionics suite.[14] The successful performance of the A-6 in operations following these improvements ended proposals to produce follow-on models that featured downgraded avionics.[15]

Various specialized variants of the A-6 were developed, often in response to urgent military requirements raised during the Vietnam War.[16] The A-6C, a dedicated interdictor, was one such model, as was the KA-6D, a buddy store-equipped aerial refueling tanker. Perhaps the most complex variant was the EA-6B Prowler, a specialized electronic warfare derivative. The last variant to be produced was the A-6E, first introduced in 1972; it features extensive avionics improvements, including the new APQ-148 multimode radar, along with minor airframe refinements.[16] The last A-6E was delivered in 1992.[17]

During the 1980s, a further model, designated A-6F, was being planned. Intended to feature the General Electric F404 turbofan engine, as well as various avionics and airframe improvements, this variant was cancelled under the presumption that the in-development McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II would be entering production before long.[18][19] Instead, a life-extension program involving the re-winging of existing A-6E aircraft was undertaken; initially a metal wing had been used before a graphite-epoxy composite wing was developed during the late 1980s.[20] Other improvements were introduced to the fleet around this time, including GPS receivers, new computers and radar sets, more efficient J-52-409 engines, as well as increased compatibility with various additional missiles.[21]

Design

 
An A-6E landing on the aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66), showing the split airbrakes on the tips of its left wing

The Grumman A-6 Intruder is a two-seat twin-engined monoplane, equipped to perform carrier-based attack missions regardless of prevailing weather or light conditions.[4] The cockpit used an unusual double pane windscreen and side-by-side seating arrangement in which the pilot sat in the left seat, while the bombardier/navigator (BN) sat to the right and slightly below to give the pilot an adequate view on that side. In addition to a radar display for the BN, a unique instrumentation feature for the pilot was a cathode ray tube screen that was known as the Vertical Display Indicator (VDI). This display provided a synthetic representation of the world in front of the aircraft, along with steering cues provided by the BN, enabling head-down navigation and attack at night and in all weather conditions.[15]

The A-6's wing was relatively efficient at subsonic speeds, particularly when compared to supersonic fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, which are also limited to subsonic speeds when carrying a payload of bombs. The wing was also designed to provide a favorable level of maneuverability even while carrying a sizable bomb load. A very similar wing would be put on pivots on Grumman's later supersonic swing-wing Grumman F-14 Tomcat, as well as similar landing gear.[22]

For its day, the Intruder had sophisticated avionics, with a high degree of integration.[4] To aid in identifying and isolating equipment malfunctions, the aircraft was provided with automatic diagnostic systems, some of the earliest computer-based analytic equipment developed for aircraft. These were known as Basic Automated Checkout Equipment, or BACE (pronounced "base"). There were two levels, known as "Line BACE" to identify specific malfunctioning systems in the aircraft, while in the hangar or on the flight line; and "Shop BACE", to exercise and analyze individual malfunctioning systems in the maintenance shop. This equipment was manufactured by Litton Industries. Together, the BACE systems greatly reduced the Maintenance Man-Hours per Flight Hour, a key index of the cost and effort needed to keep military aircraft operating.[citation needed]

The Intruder was equipped to carry nuclear weapons (B43, B57, B61) which would have been delivered using semi-automated toss bombing.

Operational history

Entering service and Vietnam War

 
An A-6E Intruder aircraft assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
 
S-3A Viking, A-6E Intruder, and an EA-6B Prowler aircraft are parked on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy during a storm.

The Intruder received a new standardized US DOD designation of A-6A in the Autumn of 1962, and entered squadron service in February 1963. The A-6 became both the U.S. Navy's and U.S. Marine Corps's principal medium and all-weather/night attack aircraft from the mid-1960s through the 1990s and as an aerial tanker either in the dedicated KA-6D version or by use of a buddy store (D-704). Whereas the A-6 fulfilled the USN and USMC all-weather ground-attack/strike mission role, this mission in the USAF was served by the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and later the F-111, the latter which also saw its earlier F-111A variants converted to a radar jammer as the EF-111 Raven, analogous to the USN and USMC EA-6B Prowler.

A-6 Intruders first saw action during the Vietnam War, where the craft were used extensively against targets in Vietnam. The aircraft's long range and heavy payload (18,000 pounds or 8,200 kilograms) coupled with its ability to fly in all weather made it invaluable during the war. However, its typical mission profile of flying low to deliver its payload made it especially vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire, and in the eight years the Intruder was used during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps lost a total of 84 A-6 aircraft of various series. The first loss occurred on 14 July 1965 when an Intruder from VA-75 operating from USS Independence, flown by LT Donald Boecker and LT Donald Eaton, commenced a dive on a target near Laos. An explosion under the starboard wing damaged the starboard engine, causing the aircraft to catch fire and the hydraulics to fail. Seconds later the port engine failed, the controls froze, and the two crewmen ejected. Both crewmen survived.

 
A U.S. Marine Corps A-6 Intruder destroyed by a rocket and mortar bombardment on Da Nang Air Base in 1968 during the Vietnam War

Of the 84 Intruders lost to all causes during the war, ten were shot down by surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), two were shot down by MiGs, 16 were lost to operational causes, and 56 were lost to conventional ground fire and AAA. The last Intruder to be lost during the war was from VA-35, flown by LT C. M. Graf and LT S. H. Hatfield, operating from USS America; they were shot down by ground fire on 24 January 1973 while providing close air support. The airmen ejected and were rescued by a Navy helicopter. Twenty U.S. Navy aircraft carriers rotated through the waters of Southeast Asia, providing air strikes, from the early 1960s through the early 1970s. Nine of those carriers lost A-6 Intruders: USS Constellation lost 11, USS Ranger lost eight, USS Coral Sea lost six, USS Midway lost two, USS Independence lost four, USS Kitty Hawk lost 14, USS Saratoga lost three, USS Enterprise lost eight, and USS America lost two.[23] Although capable of embarking aboard aircraft carriers, most U.S. Marine Corps A-6 Intruders were shore based in South Vietnam at Chu Lai and Da Nang and in Nam Phong, Thailand.

Lebanon and later action

A-6 Intruders were later used in support of other operations, such as the Multinational Force in Lebanon in 1983. On 4 December, one LTV A-7 Corsair II and one Intruder were downed by Syrian missiles. The Intruder's pilot, Lieutenant Mark Lange, and bombardier/navigator Lieutenant Robert "Bobby" Goodman ejected immediately before the crash;[24] Lange died of his injuries while Goodman was captured and taken by the Syrians to Damascus where he was released on 3 January 1984. Later in the 1980s, two Naval Reserve A-7 Corsair II light attack squadrons, VA-205 and VA-304, were reconstituted as medium attack squadrons with the A-6E at NAS Atlanta, Georgia and NAS Alameda, California, respectively.

Intruders also saw action in April 1986 operating from the aircraft carriers USS America and Coral Sea during the bombing of Libya (Operation El Dorado Canyon). The squadrons involved were VA-34 "Blue Blasters" (from USS America) and VA-55 "Warhorses" (from USS Coral Sea).

 
An A-6E Intruder prepares for launch aboard USS Enterprise

During the Gulf War in 1991, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps A-6s flew more than 4,700 combat sorties, providing close air support, destroying enemy air defenses, attacking Iraqi naval units, and hitting strategic targets. They were also the U.S. Navy's primary strike platform for delivering laser-guided bombs.[25] The U.S. Navy operated them from the aircraft carriers USS Saratoga, USS John F. Kennedy, USS Midway, USS Ranger, USS America and USS Theodore Roosevelt, while U.S. Marine Corps A-6s operated ashore, primarily from Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain. Three A-6s were shot down in combat by SAMs and AAA.[26]

The Intruder's large blunt nose and slender tail inspired a number of nicknames, including "Double Ugly", "The Mighty Alpha Six", "Iron Tadpole" and also "Drumstick".[27]

Following the Gulf War, Intruders were used to patrol the no-fly zone in Iraq and provided air support for U.S. Marines during Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. The last A-6E Intruder left U.S. Marine Corps service on 28 April 1993.[28]

Navy A-6s saw further duty over Bosnia in 1994.

On 4 June 1996, during RIMPAC a US Navy A-6E performing the unusual target towing task to train Japanese Navy air defense crews was mistakenly engaged and shot down by the Japanese destroyer JS Yūgiri with its Phalanx CIWS gun. Both pilots ejected and were recovered.[29][30]

Retirement

Despite the production of new airframes in the 164XXX Bureau Number (BuNo) series just before and after the Gulf War, augmented by a rewinging program of older airframes, the A-6E and KA-6D were quickly phased out of service in the mid-1990s in a U.S. Navy cost-cutting move driven by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to reduce the number of different type/model/series (T/M/S) of aircraft in carrier air wings and U.S. Marine aircraft groups.

The A-6 was intended to be replaced by the McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II, but that program was canceled due to cost overruns.[31] The Intruder remained in service for a few more years before being retired in favor of the LANTIRN-equipped F-14D Tomcat, which was in turn replaced by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in the U.S. Navy and the twin-seat F/A-18D Hornet in the U.S. Marine Corps. During the 2010s, the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike program was at one point intended to produce an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) successor to the Intruder's long-distance strike role, but the initiative has since changed priorities towards the tanker mission instead.[32] The last Intruders were retired on 28 February 1997.

Many in the US defense establishment in general, and Naval Aviation in particular, questioned the wisdom of a shift to a shorter range carrier-based strike force, as represented by the Hornet and Super Hornet, compared to the older generation aircraft such as the Intruder and Tomcat. However, the availability of USAF Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker and McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender tankers modified to accommodate USN, USMC and NATO tactical aircraft in all recent conflicts was considered by certain senior decision makers in the Department of Defense to put a lesser premium on organic aerial refueling capability in the U.S. Navy's carrier air wings and self-contained range among carrier-based strike aircraft. Although the Intruder could not match the F-14's or the F/A-18's speed or air-combat capability, the A-6's range and load-carrying ability are still unmatched by newer aircraft in the fleet.[19]

At the time of retirement, several retired A-6 airframes were awaiting rewinging at the Northrop Grumman facility at St. Augustine Airport, Florida; these were later sunk off the coast of St. Johns County, Florida to form a fish haven named "Intruder Reef".[33] Surviving aircraft fitted with the new wings, and later production aircraft (i.e., BuNo 164XXX series) not earmarked for museum or non-flying static display were stored at the AMARG storage center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.[34]

Variants

YA-6A and A-6A

 
A-6A of VMA (AW)-242 in 1975

The eight prototypes and pre-production Intruder aircraft were sometimes referred to with the YA-6A designation.[35] These were used in the development and testing of the A-6A Intruder.

The initial version of the Intruder was built around the complex and advanced DIANE (Digital Integrated Attack/Navigation Equipment) suite, intended to provide a high degree of bombing accuracy even at night and in poor weather. DIANE consisted of multiple radar systems: the Norden Systems AN/APQ-92 search radar replacing the YA-6A's AN/APQ-88, and a separate AN/APG-46 for tracking, the AN/APN-141 radar altimeter, and an AN/APN-122 Doppler navigational radar to provide position updates to the Litton AN/ASN-31 inertial navigation system. An air-data computer and the AN/ASQ-61 ballistics computer integrated the radar information for the bombardier/navigator in the right-hand seat. TACAN and ADF systems were also provided for navigation. When it worked, DIANE was perhaps the most capable navigation/attack system of its era, giving the Intruder the ability to fly and fight in even very poor conditions (particularly important over Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War). It suffered numerous teething problems, and it was several years before its reliability was established.

 
A-6B on the USS Saratoga in 1971

Total A-6A production was 480, excluding the prototype and pre-production aircraft.[35] A total of 47 A-6As were converted to other variants.[35]

A-6B

To provide U.S. Navy squadrons with a defense suppression aircraft to attack enemy antiaircraft defense and SAM missile systems, a mission dubbed "Iron Hand" by the U.S. Navy, 19 A-6As were converted to A-6B version during 1967 to 1970.[36] The A-6B had many of its standard attack systems removed in favor of specialized equipment to detect and track enemy radar sites and to guide AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard anti-radiation missiles, with AN/APQ-103 radar replacing earlier AN/APQ-92 used in the A-6A, plus AN/APN-153 navigational radar replacing earlier AN/APN-122, again used in the A-6A.

Between 1968 and 1977, several Intruder squadrons operated A-6Bs alongside their regular A-6As. Five were lost to all causes, and the survivors were later converted to A-6E standard in the late 1970s.

A-6C

 
A-6C of VA-35 Black Panthers

12 A-6As were converted in 1970 to A-6C standard for night attack missions against the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam. They were fitted with a "Trails/Roads Interdiction Multi-sensor" (TRIM) pod in the fuselage for FLIR and low-light TV cameras, as well as a "Black Crow" engine ignition detection system. Radars were also upgraded, with the AN/APQ-112 replacing the earlier AN/APQ-103, and an AN/APN-186 navigational radar replacing the earlier AN/APN-153. A vastly improved Sperry Corporation AN/APQ-127 radar replaced the AN/APG-46 fire control radar. One of these aircraft was lost in combat; the others were later refitted to A-6E standard after the war.

KA-6D

 
A KA-6D refueling an F-14A in 1987

To replace both the KA-3B and EA-3B Skywarrior during the early 1970s, 78 A-6As and 12 A-6Es were converted for use as tanker aircraft, providing aerial refueling support to other strike aircraft. The DIANE system was removed and an internal refueling system was added, sometimes supplemented by a D-704 refueling pod on the centerline pylon. The KA-6D theoretically could be used in the day/visual bombing role, but it apparently never was, with the standard load-out being four fuel tanks. Because it was based on a tactical aircraft platform, the KA-6D provided a capability for mission tanking, the ability to keep up with strike aircraft and refuel them in the course of a mission. A few KA-6Ds went to sea with each Intruder squadron. Their operation was integrated into the Intruder squadrons, as A-6 crew were trained to operate both aircraft and the NATOPS covered both the A6 and KA-6D. These aircraft were always in short supply, and frequently were "cross decked" from a returning carrier to an outgoing one. Many KA-6 airframes had severe G restrictions, as well as fuselage stretching due to almost continual use and high number of catapults and traps. The retirement of the aircraft left a gap in US Navy and Marine Corps refueling tanker capability. The Navy Lockheed S-3 Viking filled that gap until the new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet became operational.

A-6E

 
An A-6E SWIP Intruder of VA-34 flying over Spain during Exercise Matador.

The definitive attack version of the Intruder with vastly upgraded navigation and attack systems, introduced in 1970 and first deployed on 9 December 1971. The earlier separate search and track (fire control) radars of the A-6A/B/C were replaced by a single Norden AN/APQ-148 multi-mode radar, and onboard computers with a more sophisticated (and generally more reliable) IC based system, as opposed to the A-6A's DIANE discrete transistor-based technology. A new AN/ASN-92 inertial navigation system was added, along with the CAINS (Carrier Aircraft Inertial Navigation System), for greater navigation accuracy.

 
Final VA-34 A-6E SWIP Intruder launch from the flight deck of USS George Washington, 1996.

Beginning in 1979, all A-6Es were fitted with the AN/AAS-33 DRS (Detecting and Ranging Set), part of the "Target Recognition and Attack Multi-Sensor" (TRAM) system, a small, gyroscopically stabilized turret, mounted under the nose of the aircraft, containing a FLIR boresighted with a laser spot-tracker/designator and IBM AN/ASQ-155 computer. TRAM was matched with a new Norden AN/APQ-156 radar. The BN could use both TRAM imagery and radar data for extremely accurate attacks, or use the TRAM sensors alone to attack without using the Intruder's radar (which might warn the target). TRAM also allowed the Intruder to autonomously designate and drop laser-guided bombs. In addition, the Intruder used Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI), which allowed the aircraft to track a moving target (such as a tank or truck) and drop ordnance on it even though the target was moving. Also, the computer system allowed the use of Offset Aim Point (OAP), giving the crew the ability to drop on a target unseen on radar by noting coordinates of a known target nearby and entering the offset range and bearing to the unseen target.

In the 1980s, the A-6E TRAM aircraft were converted to the A-6E WCSI (Weapons Control System Improvement) version to add additional weapons capability. This added the ability to carry and target some of the first generation precision guided weapons, like the AGM-84 Harpoon missile, and AGM-123 Skipper. The WCSI aircraft was eventually modified to have a limited capability to use the AGM-84E SLAM standoff land attack missile. Since the Harpoon and SLAM missiles had common communication interfaces, WCSI aircraft could carry and fire SLAM missiles, but needed a nearby A-6E SWIP to guide them to target.

 
Norden AN/APQ-148 Radar[37]

In the early 1990s, some surviving A-6Es were upgraded under SWIP (Systems/Weapons Improvement Program) to enable them to use the latest precision-guided munitions, including AGM-65 Mavericks, AGM-84E SLAMs, AGM-62 Walleyes and the AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile as well as additional capability with the AGM-84 Harpoon. A co-processor was added to the AN/ASQ-155 computer system to implement the needed MIL-STD-1553 digital interfaces to the pylons, as well as an additional control panel. After a series of wing-fatigue problems, about 85% of the fleet was fitted with new graphite/epoxy/titanium/aluminum composite wings. The new wings proved to be a mixed blessing, as a composite wing is stiffer and transmits more force to the fuselage, accelerating fatigue in the fuselage. In 1990, the decision was made to terminate production of the A-6. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the A-6 had been in low-rate production of four or five new aircraft a year, enough to replace mostly accidental losses. The final production order was for 20 aircraft of the SWIP configuration with composite wings, delivered in 1993.

A-6E models totaled 445 aircraft, about 240 of which were converted from earlier A-6A/B/C models.

A-6F and A-6G

 
A-6F prototype in 1987

An advanced A-6F Intruder II was proposed in the mid-1980s that would have replaced the Intruder's elderly Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojets with non-afterburning versions of the General Electric F404 turbofan used in the F/A-18 Hornet, providing substantial improvements in both power and fuel economy. The A-6F would have had totally new avionics, including a Norden AN/APQ-173 synthetic aperture radar and multi-function cockpit displays – the APQ-173 would have given the Intruder air-to-air capacity with provision for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Two additional wing pylons were added, for a total of seven stations.

Although five development aircraft were built, the U.S. Navy ultimately chose not to authorize the A-6F, preferring to concentrate on the A-12 Avenger II. This left the service in a quandary when the A-12 was canceled in 1991.

Grumman proposed a cheaper alternative in the A-6G, which had most of the A-6F's advanced electronics, but retained the existing engines.[38] This, too, was canceled.

Electronic warfare versions

Main article: Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler
 
US Marine Corps EA-6A Intruder electronics aircraft of VMCJ-2 Playboys aboard USS America in 1974 during a visit to Scotland.

An electronic warfare (EW)/Electronic countermeasures (ECW) version of the Intruder was developed early in the aircraft's life for the USMC, which needed a new ECM platform to replace its elderly F3D-2Q Skyknights. An EW version of the Intruder, initially designated A2F-1H (rather than A2F-1Q, as "Q" was being split to relegate it to passive electronic warfare and "H" to active) and subsequently redesignated EA-6A, first flew on 26 April 1963. It had a Bunker-Ramo AN/ALQ-86 ECM suite, with most electronics contained on the walnut-shaped pod atop the vertical fin. They were equipped with AN/APQ-129 fire control radar, and theoretically capable of firing the AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile, although they were apparently not used in that role. The navigational radar is AN/APN-153.

Only 28 EA-6As were built (two prototypes, 15 new-build, and 11 conversions from A-6As), serving with U.S. Marine Corps squadrons in Vietnam. It was phased out of front line service in the mid-1970s, remaining in use in reserve VMCJ units with the USMC and then the United States Navy in specialized VAQ units, primarily for training purposes. The last EA-6A had been retired by 1993.

A much more highly specialized derivative of the Intruder was the EA-6B Prowler, having a "stretched" airframe with two additional systems operators, and more comprehensive systems for the electronic warfare and SEAD roles. A derivative of AN/APQ-156, AN/APS-130 was installed as the main radar for EA-6B. The navigational radar was upgraded to AN/APS-133 from the AN/APN-153 on EA-6A. In total, 170 were produced. The EA-6B took on the duties of the U.S. Air Force EF-111 Raven when the DoD decided to let the U.S. Navy handle all electronic warfare missions. The Prowler has been replaced by the EA-18G Growler in the U.S. Navy and was retired from USMC service in 2019.

Variant list

YA2F-1
Pre-production aircraft, eight built with the first four with rotating jet exhaust pipes, redesignated YA-6A in 1962.[39]
A2F-1
First production variant with fixed tailpipe, 484 built, redesignated A-6A in 1962.[39]
YA2F-1H
Prototype electronic warfare variant, one modified from A2F-1, redesignated YEA-6A in 1962.[39]
A2F-1H
Electronic warfare variant of the A2F-1 redesignated EA-6A in 1962[39]
YA-6A
Pre-production aircraft redesignated from YA2F-1 in 1962.[39]
A-6A
First production variant redesignated from A2F-1 in 1962.[39]
YEA-6A
One YA2F-1 electronic warfare variant prototype redesignated in 1962.[39]
EA-6A
Electronic warfare variant redesignated from A2F-1H, had a redesigned fin and rudder and addition of an ECM radome, able to carry underwing ECM pods, three YA-6A and four A-6As converted and 21 built.[39]
NA-6A
The redesignation of three YA-6As and three A-6As. The six aircraft were modified for special tests.[39]
NEA-6A
One EA-6A aircraft was modified for special test purposes.[39]
TA-6A
Proposed trainer variant with three-seat, not built.[39]
A-6B
Variant fitted with avionics for the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), 19 conversions from A-6A.[15]
EA-6B Prowler
Electronic warfare variant of the A-6A with longer fuselage for four crew.[39]
YEA-6B
The designation of two EA-6B prototypes, which were modified for special test purposes.
A-6C
A-6A conversion for low-level attack role with electro-optical sensors, twelve converted.[39]
KA-6D
A-6A conversion for flight-refueling, 58 converted.[39]
 
A-6E Intruder of VA-52, 1981
A-6E
A-6A with improved electronics.[39]
A-6E TRAM
A-6E upgraded with the AN/AAS-33 Target Recognition Attack Multi-Sensor or "TRAM" pod. Capable of dropping Laser Guided Bombs without a targeting pod. Can also carry the AGM-84 Harpoon.[40]
A-6E SWIP
A-6E TRAM upgraded with the AN/ALR-67 RWR and ability to carry the AGM-88 HARM, AGM-62 Walleye, AGM-84E SLAM and AGM-65 Maverick. Several versions had new composite wings.[40]
A-6F Intruder II
Advanced version with updated electronics and General Electric F404 turbofans; only 5 built.
A-6G
Proposed cheaper alternative to the A-6F, with its advanced electronics, but existing J52 turbojets.
G-128-12
Unbuilt single-seat A-6 based design proposal for the VA(L) competition for A-4 Skyhawk replacement based on existing design. Contract ultimately awarded to the LTV A-7 Corsair II.[41]

Operators

See also: List of A-6 Intruder operators
  United States

Aircraft on display

 
A Grumman A-6 Intruder on display at Grumman Memorial Park
 
An A-6 Intruder on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
 
An A-6F Intruder prototype on display at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, New York City
 
An A-6E Intruder on display at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum
For EA-6A and EA-6B, see Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler.
A-6A
KA-6D
A-6E
A-6F

Specifications (A-6E)

 
 
A-6 ordnance, 1962

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83[83] Jet Bombers: From the Messerschmitt Me 262 to the Stealth B-2[84]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 (pilot, bombardier/navigator)
  • Length: 54 ft 9 in (16.69 m)
  • Wingspan: 53 ft 0 in (16.15 m)
  • Width: 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m) wing folded
  • Height: 16 ft 2 in (4.93 m)
  • Wing area: 528.9 sq ft (49.14 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.31:1[85]
  • Empty weight: 26,660 lb (12,093 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 60,400 lb (27,397 kg) (shore-based operations)
  • Fuel capacity: 2,385 US gal (1,986 imp gal; 9,030 L) (internal fuel)
  • Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0144[85]
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P8B turbojets, 9,300 lbf (41 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 560 kn (640 mph, 1,040 km/h) at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 412 kn (474 mph, 763 km/h)
  • Stall speed: 98 kn (113 mph, 181 km/h) (flaps down)
  • Never exceed speed: 700 kn (810 mph, 1,300 km/h)
  • Combat range: 878 nmi (1,010 mi, 1,626 km) (with max payload)
  • Ferry range: 2,818 nmi (3,243 mi, 5,219 km)
  • Service ceiling: 42,400 ft (12,900 m)
  • g limits: -2.4 to 6.5
  • Rate of climb: 7,620 ft/min (38.7 m/s)
  • Lift-to-drag: 15.2[85]
  • Take-off run to 50 ft (15 m): 4,530 ft (1,380 m)
  • Landing run from 50 ft (15 m): 2,540 ft (770 m)

Armament

Notable appearances in media

Main article: Aircraft in fiction § A-6 Intruder

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ Which technically capable of carrying 30 bombs, the rear inboard position of the Multiple Ejector Racks on hardpoints 2 and 4 (internal wing) had to be left clear to allow the landing gear to retract freely.

Citations

  1. ^ https://archive.org/details/202417484a6intruder/page/n5/mode/2up, p.3
  2. ^ "A-6 Intruder". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  3. ^ Jenkins 2002, pp. 5–6.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 209.
  5. ^ Jenkins 2002, pp. 6–7.
  6. ^ Jenkins 2002, p. 7.
  7. ^ "Lawrence Mead Jr., Aerospace Engineer, Dies at 94." The New York Times, 30 August 2012.
  8. ^ Jenkins 2002, p. 11.
  9. ^ Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1993, p. 40.
  10. ^ a b Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1993, p. 41.
  11. ^ Grumman Aircraft since 1929, Rene J. Francillon, ISBN 0 85177 835 6, p. 431
  12. ^ https://archive.org/details/202417484a6intruder/page/n5/mode/2up, p.5
  13. ^ Attack Aircraft of the West, Bill Gunston 1974,ISBN 0 7110 0523 0, p. 225.
  14. ^ a b Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p.210.
  15. ^ a b c Andrews, Hal (September–October 1997). "Life of the Intruder". Naval Aviation News. Vol. 79, no. 6. pp. 8–16.
  16. ^ a b Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, pp. 210-211.
  17. ^ "Northrop Grumman". Flight International. 23 October 1996.
  18. ^ Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 211.
  19. ^ a b Trimble, Stephen (4 April 2011). "US naval aviation back on the rise". Flight International.
  20. ^ Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 211-212.
  21. ^ Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 212.
  22. ^ Gunston and Spick 1983,[page needed]
  23. ^ Hobson 2001, pp. 269–270.
  24. ^ . The Year 1983. Ejection History. 23 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013. A-6E TRAM BuNo 152915 coded AC, side number 556 VA-85 "Black Falcons" ... Near Kfar Salwan, 15 M E of Beirut, Lebanon, shot down by Syrian SAM-7 during bombing. Lt. Mark "Doppler" Lange ejected ... BN Robert O. "Bobby" Goodman ejected ...
  25. ^ "A-6E Intruder." 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of Naval Aviation. Retrieved: 16 December 2007.
  26. ^ Lee, Robin J. "Coalition Fixed-Wing Combat Aircraft Attrition in Desert Storm." rjlee.org. Retrieved: 8 July 2012.
  27. ^ Caldwell, Richard H. "US Military Aircraft Nicknames." Flightline. Retrieved: 11 April 2007.
  28. ^ "Homepage image caption for 10 April 2007." 8 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine United States Marine Corps History Division home page. Retrieved: 11 April 2007.
  29. ^ "Japanese Ship Accidentally Downs U.S. Jet - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. 5 June 1996.
  30. ^ "The Last Time A Japanese Warship Shot Down A U.S. Navy Plane Was Actually Not So Long Ago". 4 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Boeing and General Dynamics to appeal against ruling in A-12 case". Flight International. 8 October 2007.
  32. ^ Trimble, Stephen (3 August 2007). "Northrop Grumman wins US Navy unmanned bomber contract". Flight International.
  33. ^ Hildebrandt, Erik. 1996–1997. "Burial at Sea: Navy's A-6 Intruder is Retiring, and What Could be a More Fitting End?" Air and Space Smithsonian. December 1996 – January 1997, Volume 11 (5). Pages 64–70. Also: "Burial at Sea."
  34. ^ "A-6 Displays." 18 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine intruderassociation.org. Retrieved: 19 July 2010.
  35. ^ a b c Jenkins 2002, p. 100.
  36. ^ Jenkins 2002, pp. 33–41.
  37. ^ "AN/APQ – Airborne Multipurpose/Special Radars". designation-systems.net. 1 July 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  38. ^ "Pentagon Proposes Buying A-6 Intruders" (PDF), Grumman World, vol. 7, no. 9, p. 1, 13 May 1988, retrieved 6 October 2017
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Andrade 1979, pp. 37–38.
  40. ^ a b Morgan, Rick (2017). Osprey Combat Aircraft 121: A-6 Intruder Units 1974-96. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-1877-5.
  41. ^ Buttler 2010, pp. 147–148.
  42. ^ "A-6 Intruder/147867." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  43. ^ "A-6 Intruder/151826" Retrieved: 9 December 2019.
  44. ^ "A-6 Intruder/149482." Retrieved: 11 September 2019.
  45. ^ "Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Grumman KA-6D Intruder, s/n 152910 USN, c/n I-214". www.aerialvisuals.ca. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  46. ^ "A-6 Intruder/151782." USS Midway Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  47. ^ "A-6 Intruder/152599." Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  48. ^ "A-6 Intruder/152603." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  49. ^ "A-6 Intruder/152907." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  50. ^ "A-6 Intruder/152923." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  51. ^ "A-6 Intruder/152935." Empire State Aerosciences Museum. Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  52. ^ "A-6 Intruder/152936." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  53. ^ "A-6 Intruder/154131." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  54. ^ "A-6 Intruder/154162." 17 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Palm Springs Air Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  55. ^ "A-6 Intruder/154167." NASM. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  56. ^ "A-6 Intruder/154170." Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  57. ^ "A-6 Intruder/154171." Estrella Warbird Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  58. ^ "A-6 Intruder/155595." Pacific Coast Air Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  59. ^ "A-6 Intruder/155610." National Naval Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  60. ^ "A-6 Intruder/155627." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  61. ^ Flight Line. hickoryaviationmuseum.org.
  62. ^ "A-6 Intruder/155644." 6 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Yanks Air Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  63. ^ "A-6 Intruder/155648." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  64. ^ "A-6 Intruder/155661." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  65. ^ "A-6 Intruder/155713." Pima Air & Space Museum. Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  66. ^ "A-6 Intruder/156997." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  67. ^ "A-6 Intruder/157001." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  68. ^ "A-6 Intruder/157024." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  69. ^ "A-6 Intruder/158532." USS Lexington Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  70. ^ "A-6 Intruder/158794." Museum of Flight. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  71. ^ "A-6 Intruder/159567." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 21 July 2015.
  72. ^ "A-6 Intruder/159568." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  73. ^ "A-6 Intruder/159901." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  74. ^ "A-6 Intruder/160995." 6 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Yanks Air Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  75. ^ "A-6 Intruder/161676." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  76. ^ "A-6 Intruder/162182." 29 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine Valiant Air Command Museum. Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  77. ^ "A-6 Intruder/162195." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  78. ^ Oregon Air and Space Museum. Retrieved: 10 March 2013.
  79. ^ "A-6 Intruder/164378." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  80. ^ "A-6 Intruder/164384." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  81. ^ "A-6 Intruder II/162184." 7 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Cradle of Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  82. ^ "A-6 Intruder II/162185." Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. Retrieved: 23 July 2015.
  83. ^ Taylor 1982, pp. 377–378.
  84. ^ Gunston and Gilchrist 1993, p. 213.
  85. ^ a b c Loftin, LK, Jr. Quest for Performance: The Evolution of Modern Aircraft. NASA SP-468. nasa.gov. Retrieved: 22 April 2006.
  86. ^ a b c d e f g "NAVAIR 00-110AA6-5: Standard Aircraft Characteristics: A-6E (TRAM) Intruder" (PDF). US Navy. November 1979. Retrieved 12 January 2019 – via alternatewars.com.
  87. ^ Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983, p. 44.
  88. ^ a b c Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983, p. 56.
  89. ^ Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983, p. 57.
  90. ^ Dorr Air International November 1986, p. 229.
  91. ^ Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983, p. 60.

Bibliography

  • Andrade, John. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
  • Buttler, Tony (2010). American Secret Projects: Bombers, Attack and Anti-Submarine Aircraft 1945 to 1974. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-331-0
  • Donald, David and Jon Lake. Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, Single Volume edition, 1996. ISBN 1-874023-95-6.
  • Dorr, Robert F. Grumman A-6 Intruder. London: Osprey Publishing, 1987. ISBN 0-85045-816-1.
  • Dorr, Robert F. "Grumman A-6 Intruder& EA-6 Prowler". World Air Power Journal, Spring 1983, Volume 12. pp. 34–95. ISBN 1-874023-18-2. ISSN 0959-7050.
  • Dorr, Robert F. "Intruders and Prowlers". Air International, November 1986, Vol. 31, No. 5. pp. 227–236, 250–252. ISSN 0306-5634.
  • Gunston, Bill and Mike Spick. Modern Air Combat. New York: Crescent Books, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41265-9.
  • Gunston, Bill and Peter Gilchrist. Jet Bombers: From the Messerschmitt Me 262 to the Stealth B-2. Osprey, 1993. ISBN 1-85532-258-7.
  • Hildebrandt, Erik. 1996–1997. "Burial at Sea: Navy's A-6 Intruder is Retiring, and What Could be a More Fitting End?" Air and Space Smithsonian. December 1996 – January 1997, Volume 11 (5). Pages 64–70. Also: "Burial at Sea."
  • Hobson, Chris. Vietnam Air Losses, USAF/USN/USMC, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia, 1961–1973. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2001. ISBN 1-85780-115-6.
  • Jenkins, Dennis R. Grumman A-6 Intruder. Warbird Tech. 33. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2002. ISBN 1-58007-050-7.
  • Miska, Kurt H. "Grumman A-6A/E Intruder; EA-6A; EA-6B Prowler (Aircraft in Profile number 252)". Aircraft in Profile, Volume 14. Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1974, pp. 137–160. ISBN 0-85383-023-1.
  • Morgan, Mark and Rick Morgan. Intruder: The Operational History of Grumman's A-6. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., 2004. ISBN 0-7643-2100-5.
  • Morgan, Rick. A-6 Intruder Units of the Vietnam War (Osprey Combat Aircraft #93). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing Limited, 2012. ISBN 978-1-84908-755-1.
  • Reardon, Carol. Launch the Intruders. University of Kansas Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0-7006-1677-0.
  • Taylor, John W.R. "Grumman A-6 Intruder". Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the Present. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969. ISBN 0-425-03633-2.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.
  • Winchester, Jim, ed. "Grumman A-6 Intruder". Military Aircraft of the Cold War (The Aviation Factfile). London: Grange Books plc, 2006. ISBN 1-84013-929-3.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grumman A-6 Intruder.
  • A-6E Intruder
  • Intruder Association
  • A-6 page on globalsecurity.org
  • Joe Baugher's website on the Grumman A-6 Intruder

January 26, 2023
grumman, intruder, american, twinjet, weather, attack, aircraft, developed, manufactured, american, aircraft, company, grumman, aerospace, operated, navy, marine, corps, intruderka, intruder, attack, squadron, blue, blasters, role, attack, aircraftnational, or. The Grumman A 6 Intruder is an American twinjet all weather attack aircraft developed and manufactured by American aircraft company Grumman Aerospace and operated by the U S Navy and U S Marine Corps A 6 IntruderKA 6D Intruder of Attack Squadron 34 VA 34 Blue Blasters Role Attack aircraftNational origin United StatesManufacturer GrummanFirst flight 19 April 1960Introduction 1963Retired 28 April 1993 USMC 28 February 1997 USN Primary users United States NavyUnited States Marine CorpsProduced 1962 1992Number built 693Developed into Northrop Grumman EA 6B ProwlerIt was designed in response to a 1957 requirement issued by the Bureau of Aeronautics for an all weather attack aircraft for Navy long range interdiction missions and with short takeoff and landing STOL capability for Marine close air support It was to replace the piston engined Douglas A 1 Skyraider The requirement allowed one or two engines either turbojet or turboprop 1 The winning proposal from Grumman used two Pratt amp Whitney J52 turbojet engines The Intruder was the first Navy aircraft with an integrated airframe and weapons system Operated by a crew of two in a side by side seating configuration the workload was divided between the pilot and weapons officer bombardier navigator BN In addition to conventional munitions it could also carry nuclear weapons which would be delivered using toss bombing techniques On 19 April 1960 the first prototype made its maiden flight The A 6 was in service with the United States Navy and Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997 during which time multiple variants were prototyped and produced Two of the more successful variants developed were the EA 6B Prowler a specialized electronic warfare derivative and the KA 6D tanker version 2 It was deployed during various overseas conflicts including the Vietnam War and the Gulf War The A 6 was intended to be superseded by the McDonnell Douglas A 12 Avenger II but this program was ultimately canceled due to cost overruns Thus when the A 6E was scheduled for retirement its precision strike mission was initially taken over by the Grumman F 14 Tomcat equipped with a LANTIRN pod Contents 1 Development 1 1 Background 1 2 Test program 1 3 Further development 2 Design 3 Operational history 3 1 Entering service and Vietnam War 3 2 Lebanon and later action 3 3 Retirement 4 Variants 4 1 YA 6A and A 6A 4 2 A 6B 4 3 A 6C 4 4 KA 6D 4 5 A 6E 4 6 A 6F and A 6G 4 7 Electronic warfare versions 4 8 Variant list 5 Operators 6 Aircraft on display 7 Specifications A 6E 8 Notable appearances in media 9 See also 10 References 10 1 Notes 10 2 Citations 10 3 Bibliography 11 External linksDevelopment EditBackground Edit As a result of the fair weather limitation of the propeller driven Skyraider in the Korean War and the advent of turbine engines the United States Navy issued preliminary requirements in 1955 for an all weather carrier based attack aircraft The U S Navy published an operational requirement document for it in October 1956 It released a request for proposals RFP in February 1957 3 This request called for a close air support attack bomber capable of hitting the enemy at any time Aviation authors Bill Gunston and Peter Gilchrist observe that this specification was shaped by the service s Korean War experiences during which air support had been frequently unavailable unless fair weather conditions were present 4 In response to the RFP a total of eleven design proposals were submitted by eight different companies including Bell Boeing Douglas Grumman Lockheed Martin North American and Vought 5 Grumman s submission was internally designated as the Type G 128 4 Following evaluation of the bids the U S Navy announced the selection of Grumman on 2 January 1958 The company was awarded a contract for the development of their submission which had been re designated A2F 1 in February 1958 6 YA2F 1 showing the original tilting tailpipes Grumman s design team was led by Robert Nafis and Lawrence Mead Jr 4 Mead later played a lead role in the design of the Lunar Excursion Module and the Grumman F 14 Tomcat 7 The team was spread between two sites the company s manufacturing plant at Bethpage and the testing facilities at Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant Calverton During September 1959 the design was approved by the Mock Up Review Board 4 The A2F 1 design incorporated several cutting edge features for the era In the early 1960s it was novel for a fighter sized aircraft to have sophisticated avionics that used multiple computers This design experience was taken into consideration by NASA in their November 1962 decision to choose Grumman over other companies like General Dynamics Convair the F 111 had computerized avionics capabilities comparable to the A 6 but did not fly until 1964 to build the Lunar Excursion Module which was a small sized spacecraft with two onboard computers citation needed Test program Edit The first prototype YA2F 1 lacking radar and the navigational and attack avionics made its first flight on 19 April 1960 8 9 with the second prototype flying on 28 July 1960 10 The test program required to develop the aircraft took a long time The very advanced navigation and attack equipment required a lot of development and changes had to be made to correct aerodynamic deficiencies and remove unwanted features 11 Extending the air brakes which were mounted on the rear fuselage changed the downwash at the horizontal tailplane which overloaded its actuator so the tailplane was moved rearwards by 16 inches 41 cm Later evaluation of the aircraft showed that the airbrakes were not effective enough in controlling the speed of the aircraft and they were moved to the wing tips 12 Early production aircraft were fitted with both the fuselage and wingtip air brakes although the fuselage mounted ones were soon disabled and were removed from later aircraft 10 The trailing edge of each wing tip split to form a much more effective speed brake which projected above and below the wing when extended The rudder needed a wider chord at its base to give greater exposed area to assist spin recovery A major difference between the first six production aircraft and subsequent aircraft were the jet nozzles close air support by the Marine Corps required STOL performance to operate from forward airstrips Jet deflection using tilting tailpipes was proposed The performance benefits from varying the angle were not worthwhile whether operating from short strips or carriers and they were fixed at a 7 degree downward angle 13 Further development Edit During February 1963 the A 6 was introduced to service with the US Navy at this point the type was according to Gunston and Gilchrist the first genuinely all weather attack bomber in history 14 However early operating experiences found the aircraft to be imposing very high maintenance demands particularly in the Asian theatre of operations and serviceability figures were also low In response the Naval Avionics Lab launched a substantial and lengthy program to improve both the reliability and performance of the A 6 s avionics suite 14 The successful performance of the A 6 in operations following these improvements ended proposals to produce follow on models that featured downgraded avionics 15 Various specialized variants of the A 6 were developed often in response to urgent military requirements raised during the Vietnam War 16 The A 6C a dedicated interdictor was one such model as was the KA 6D a buddy store equipped aerial refueling tanker Perhaps the most complex variant was the EA 6B Prowler a specialized electronic warfare derivative The last variant to be produced was the A 6E first introduced in 1972 it features extensive avionics improvements including the new APQ 148 multimode radar along with minor airframe refinements 16 The last A 6E was delivered in 1992 17 During the 1980s a further model designated A 6F was being planned Intended to feature the General Electric F404 turbofan engine as well as various avionics and airframe improvements this variant was cancelled under the presumption that the in development McDonnell Douglas A 12 Avenger II would be entering production before long 18 19 Instead a life extension program involving the re winging of existing A 6E aircraft was undertaken initially a metal wing had been used before a graphite epoxy composite wing was developed during the late 1980s 20 Other improvements were introduced to the fleet around this time including GPS receivers new computers and radar sets more efficient J 52 409 engines as well as increased compatibility with various additional missiles 21 Design Edit An A 6E landing on the aircraft carrier USS America CV 66 showing the split airbrakes on the tips of its left wing The Grumman A 6 Intruder is a two seat twin engined monoplane equipped to perform carrier based attack missions regardless of prevailing weather or light conditions 4 The cockpit used an unusual double pane windscreen and side by side seating arrangement in which the pilot sat in the left seat while the bombardier navigator BN sat to the right and slightly below to give the pilot an adequate view on that side In addition to a radar display for the BN a unique instrumentation feature for the pilot was a cathode ray tube screen that was known as the Vertical Display Indicator VDI This display provided a synthetic representation of the world in front of the aircraft along with steering cues provided by the BN enabling head down navigation and attack at night and in all weather conditions 15 The A 6 s wing was relatively efficient at subsonic speeds particularly when compared to supersonic fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F 4 Phantom II which are also limited to subsonic speeds when carrying a payload of bombs The wing was also designed to provide a favorable level of maneuverability even while carrying a sizable bomb load A very similar wing would be put on pivots on Grumman s later supersonic swing wing Grumman F 14 Tomcat as well as similar landing gear 22 For its day the Intruder had sophisticated avionics with a high degree of integration 4 To aid in identifying and isolating equipment malfunctions the aircraft was provided with automatic diagnostic systems some of the earliest computer based analytic equipment developed for aircraft These were known as Basic Automated Checkout Equipment or BACE pronounced base There were two levels known as Line BACE to identify specific malfunctioning systems in the aircraft while in the hangar or on the flight line and Shop BACE to exercise and analyze individual malfunctioning systems in the maintenance shop This equipment was manufactured by Litton Industries Together the BACE systems greatly reduced the Maintenance Man Hours per Flight Hour a key index of the cost and effort needed to keep military aircraft operating citation needed The Intruder was equipped to carry nuclear weapons B43 B57 B61 which would have been delivered using semi automated toss bombing Operational history EditThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Entering service and Vietnam War Edit An A 6E Intruder aircraft assigned to USS Dwight D Eisenhower S 3A Viking A 6E Intruder and an EA 6B Prowler aircraft are parked on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS John F Kennedy during a storm The Intruder received a new standardized US DOD designation of A 6A in the Autumn of 1962 and entered squadron service in February 1963 The A 6 became both the U S Navy s and U S Marine Corps s principal medium and all weather night attack aircraft from the mid 1960s through the 1990s and as an aerial tanker either in the dedicated KA 6D version or by use of a buddy store D 704 Whereas the A 6 fulfilled the USN and USMC all weather ground attack strike mission role this mission in the USAF was served by the Republic F 105 Thunderchief and later the F 111 the latter which also saw its earlier F 111A variants converted to a radar jammer as the EF 111 Raven analogous to the USN and USMC EA 6B Prowler A 6 Intruders first saw action during the Vietnam War where the craft were used extensively against targets in Vietnam The aircraft s long range and heavy payload 18 000 pounds or 8 200 kilograms coupled with its ability to fly in all weather made it invaluable during the war However its typical mission profile of flying low to deliver its payload made it especially vulnerable to anti aircraft fire and in the eight years the Intruder was used during the Vietnam War the U S Navy and U S Marine Corps lost a total of 84 A 6 aircraft of various series The first loss occurred on 14 July 1965 when an Intruder from VA 75 operating from USS Independence flown by LT Donald Boecker and LT Donald Eaton commenced a dive on a target near Laos An explosion under the starboard wing damaged the starboard engine causing the aircraft to catch fire and the hydraulics to fail Seconds later the port engine failed the controls froze and the two crewmen ejected Both crewmen survived A U S Marine Corps A 6 Intruder destroyed by a rocket and mortar bombardment on Da Nang Air Base in 1968 during the Vietnam War Of the 84 Intruders lost to all causes during the war ten were shot down by surface to air missiles SAMs two were shot down by MiGs 16 were lost to operational causes and 56 were lost to conventional ground fire and AAA The last Intruder to be lost during the war was from VA 35 flown by LT C M Graf and LT S H Hatfield operating from USS America they were shot down by ground fire on 24 January 1973 while providing close air support The airmen ejected and were rescued by a Navy helicopter Twenty U S Navy aircraft carriers rotated through the waters of Southeast Asia providing air strikes from the early 1960s through the early 1970s Nine of those carriers lost A 6 Intruders USS Constellation lost 11 USS Ranger lost eight USS Coral Sea lost six USS Midway lost two USS Independence lost four USS Kitty Hawk lost 14 USS Saratoga lost three USS Enterprise lost eight and USS America lost two 23 Although capable of embarking aboard aircraft carriers most U S Marine Corps A 6 Intruders were shore based in South Vietnam at Chu Lai and Da Nang and in Nam Phong Thailand Lebanon and later action Edit A 6 Intruders were later used in support of other operations such as the Multinational Force in Lebanon in 1983 On 4 December one LTV A 7 Corsair II and one Intruder were downed by Syrian missiles The Intruder s pilot Lieutenant Mark Lange and bombardier navigator Lieutenant Robert Bobby Goodman ejected immediately before the crash 24 Lange died of his injuries while Goodman was captured and taken by the Syrians to Damascus where he was released on 3 January 1984 Later in the 1980s two Naval Reserve A 7 Corsair II light attack squadrons VA 205 and VA 304 were reconstituted as medium attack squadrons with the A 6E at NAS Atlanta Georgia and NAS Alameda California respectively Intruders also saw action in April 1986 operating from the aircraft carriers USS America and Coral Sea during the bombing of Libya Operation El Dorado Canyon The squadrons involved were VA 34 Blue Blasters from USS America and VA 55 Warhorses from USS Coral Sea An A 6E Intruder prepares for launch aboard USS Enterprise During the Gulf War in 1991 U S Navy and U S Marine Corps A 6s flew more than 4 700 combat sorties providing close air support destroying enemy air defenses attacking Iraqi naval units and hitting strategic targets They were also the U S Navy s primary strike platform for delivering laser guided bombs 25 The U S Navy operated them from the aircraft carriers USS Saratoga USS John F Kennedy USS Midway USS Ranger USS America and USS Theodore Roosevelt while U S Marine Corps A 6s operated ashore primarily from Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain Three A 6s were shot down in combat by SAMs and AAA 26 The Intruder s large blunt nose and slender tail inspired a number of nicknames including Double Ugly The Mighty Alpha Six Iron Tadpole and also Drumstick 27 Following the Gulf War Intruders were used to patrol the no fly zone in Iraq and provided air support for U S Marines during Operation Restore Hope in Somalia The last A 6E Intruder left U S Marine Corps service on 28 April 1993 28 Navy A 6s saw further duty over Bosnia in 1994 On 4 June 1996 during RIMPAC a US Navy A 6E performing the unusual target towing task to train Japanese Navy air defense crews was mistakenly engaged and shot down by the Japanese destroyer JS Yugiri with its Phalanx CIWS gun Both pilots ejected and were recovered 29 30 Retirement Edit Despite the production of new airframes in the 164XXX Bureau Number BuNo series just before and after the Gulf War augmented by a rewinging program of older airframes the A 6E and KA 6D were quickly phased out of service in the mid 1990s in a U S Navy cost cutting move driven by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to reduce the number of different type model series T M S of aircraft in carrier air wings and U S Marine aircraft groups The A 6 was intended to be replaced by the McDonnell Douglas A 12 Avenger II but that program was canceled due to cost overruns 31 The Intruder remained in service for a few more years before being retired in favor of the LANTIRN equipped F 14D Tomcat which was in turn replaced by the F A 18E F Super Hornet in the U S Navy and the twin seat F A 18D Hornet in the U S Marine Corps During the 2010s the Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike program was at one point intended to produce an unmanned aerial vehicle UAV successor to the Intruder s long distance strike role but the initiative has since changed priorities towards the tanker mission instead 32 The last Intruders were retired on 28 February 1997 Many in the US defense establishment in general and Naval Aviation in particular questioned the wisdom of a shift to a shorter range carrier based strike force as represented by the Hornet and Super Hornet compared to the older generation aircraft such as the Intruder and Tomcat However the availability of USAF Boeing KC 135 Stratotanker and McDonnell Douglas KC 10 Extender tankers modified to accommodate USN USMC and NATO tactical aircraft in all recent conflicts was considered by certain senior decision makers in the Department of Defense to put a lesser premium on organic aerial refueling capability in the U S Navy s carrier air wings and self contained range among carrier based strike aircraft Although the Intruder could not match the F 14 s or the F A 18 s speed or air combat capability the A 6 s range and load carrying ability are still unmatched by newer aircraft in the fleet 19 At the time of retirement several retired A 6 airframes were awaiting rewinging at the Northrop Grumman facility at St Augustine Airport Florida these were later sunk off the coast of St Johns County Florida to form a fish haven named Intruder Reef 33 Surviving aircraft fitted with the new wings and later production aircraft i e BuNo 164XXX series not earmarked for museum or non flying static display were stored at the AMARG storage center at Davis Monthan Air Force Base Arizona 34 Variants EditThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message YA 6A and A 6A Edit A 6A of VMA AW 242 in 1975 The eight prototypes and pre production Intruder aircraft were sometimes referred to with the YA 6A designation 35 These were used in the development and testing of the A 6A Intruder The initial version of the Intruder was built around the complex and advanced DIANE Digital Integrated Attack Navigation Equipment suite intended to provide a high degree of bombing accuracy even at night and in poor weather DIANE consisted of multiple radar systems the Norden Systems AN APQ 92 search radar replacing the YA 6A s AN APQ 88 and a separate AN APG 46 for tracking the AN APN 141 radar altimeter and an AN APN 122 Doppler navigational radar to provide position updates to the Litton AN ASN 31 inertial navigation system An air data computer and the AN ASQ 61 ballistics computer integrated the radar information for the bombardier navigator in the right hand seat TACAN and ADF systems were also provided for navigation When it worked DIANE was perhaps the most capable navigation attack system of its era giving the Intruder the ability to fly and fight in even very poor conditions particularly important over Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War It suffered numerous teething problems and it was several years before its reliability was established A 6B on the USS Saratoga in 1971 Total A 6A production was 480 excluding the prototype and pre production aircraft 35 A total of 47 A 6As were converted to other variants 35 A 6B Edit To provide U S Navy squadrons with a defense suppression aircraft to attack enemy antiaircraft defense and SAM missile systems a mission dubbed Iron Hand by the U S Navy 19 A 6As were converted to A 6B version during 1967 to 1970 36 The A 6B had many of its standard attack systems removed in favor of specialized equipment to detect and track enemy radar sites and to guide AGM 45 Shrike and AGM 78 Standard anti radiation missiles with AN APQ 103 radar replacing earlier AN APQ 92 used in the A 6A plus AN APN 153 navigational radar replacing earlier AN APN 122 again used in the A 6A Between 1968 and 1977 several Intruder squadrons operated A 6Bs alongside their regular A 6As Five were lost to all causes and the survivors were later converted to A 6E standard in the late 1970s A 6C Edit A 6C of VA 35 Black Panthers 12 A 6As were converted in 1970 to A 6C standard for night attack missions against the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam They were fitted with a Trails Roads Interdiction Multi sensor TRIM pod in the fuselage for FLIR and low light TV cameras as well as a Black Crow engine ignition detection system Radars were also upgraded with the AN APQ 112 replacing the earlier AN APQ 103 and an AN APN 186 navigational radar replacing the earlier AN APN 153 A vastly improved Sperry Corporation AN APQ 127 radar replaced the AN APG 46 fire control radar One of these aircraft was lost in combat the others were later refitted to A 6E standard after the war KA 6D Edit A KA 6D refueling an F 14A in 1987 To replace both the KA 3B and EA 3B Skywarrior during the early 1970s 78 A 6As and 12 A 6Es were converted for use as tanker aircraft providing aerial refueling support to other strike aircraft The DIANE system was removed and an internal refueling system was added sometimes supplemented by a D 704 refueling pod on the centerline pylon The KA 6D theoretically could be used in the day visual bombing role but it apparently never was with the standard load out being four fuel tanks Because it was based on a tactical aircraft platform the KA 6D provided a capability for mission tanking the ability to keep up with strike aircraft and refuel them in the course of a mission A few KA 6Ds went to sea with each Intruder squadron Their operation was integrated into the Intruder squadrons as A 6 crew were trained to operate both aircraft and the NATOPS covered both the A6 and KA 6D These aircraft were always in short supply and frequently were cross decked from a returning carrier to an outgoing one Many KA 6 airframes had severe G restrictions as well as fuselage stretching due to almost continual use and high number of catapults and traps The retirement of the aircraft left a gap in US Navy and Marine Corps refueling tanker capability The Navy Lockheed S 3 Viking filled that gap until the new F A 18E F Super Hornet became operational A 6E Edit An A 6E SWIP Intruder of VA 34 flying over Spain during Exercise Matador The definitive attack version of the Intruder with vastly upgraded navigation and attack systems introduced in 1970 and first deployed on 9 December 1971 The earlier separate search and track fire control radars of the A 6A B C were replaced by a single Norden AN APQ 148 multi mode radar and onboard computers with a more sophisticated and generally more reliable IC based system as opposed to the A 6A s DIANE discrete transistor based technology A new AN ASN 92 inertial navigation system was added along with the CAINS Carrier Aircraft Inertial Navigation System for greater navigation accuracy Final VA 34 A 6E SWIP Intruder launch from the flight deck of USS George Washington 1996 Beginning in 1979 all A 6Es were fitted with the AN AAS 33 DRS Detecting and Ranging Set part of the Target Recognition and Attack Multi Sensor TRAM system a small gyroscopically stabilized turret mounted under the nose of the aircraft containing a FLIR boresighted with a laser spot tracker designator and IBM AN ASQ 155 computer TRAM was matched with a new Norden AN APQ 156 radar The BN could use both TRAM imagery and radar data for extremely accurate attacks or use the TRAM sensors alone to attack without using the Intruder s radar which might warn the target TRAM also allowed the Intruder to autonomously designate and drop laser guided bombs In addition the Intruder used Airborne Moving Target Indicator AMTI which allowed the aircraft to track a moving target such as a tank or truck and drop ordnance on it even though the target was moving Also the computer system allowed the use of Offset Aim Point OAP giving the crew the ability to drop on a target unseen on radar by noting coordinates of a known target nearby and entering the offset range and bearing to the unseen target In the 1980s the A 6E TRAM aircraft were converted to the A 6E WCSI Weapons Control System Improvement version to add additional weapons capability This added the ability to carry and target some of the first generation precision guided weapons like the AGM 84 Harpoon missile and AGM 123 Skipper The WCSI aircraft was eventually modified to have a limited capability to use the AGM 84E SLAM standoff land attack missile Since the Harpoon and SLAM missiles had common communication interfaces WCSI aircraft could carry and fire SLAM missiles but needed a nearby A 6E SWIP to guide them to target Norden AN APQ 148 Radar 37 In the early 1990s some surviving A 6Es were upgraded under SWIP Systems Weapons Improvement Program to enable them to use the latest precision guided munitions including AGM 65 Mavericks AGM 84E SLAMs AGM 62 Walleyes and the AGM 88 HARM anti radiation missile as well as additional capability with the AGM 84 Harpoon A co processor was added to the AN ASQ 155 computer system to implement the needed MIL STD 1553 digital interfaces to the pylons as well as an additional control panel After a series of wing fatigue problems about 85 of the fleet was fitted with new graphite epoxy titanium aluminum composite wings The new wings proved to be a mixed blessing as a composite wing is stiffer and transmits more force to the fuselage accelerating fatigue in the fuselage In 1990 the decision was made to terminate production of the A 6 Through the 1970s and 1980s the A 6 had been in low rate production of four or five new aircraft a year enough to replace mostly accidental losses The final production order was for 20 aircraft of the SWIP configuration with composite wings delivered in 1993 A 6E models totaled 445 aircraft about 240 of which were converted from earlier A 6A B C models A 6F and A 6G Edit A 6F prototype in 1987 An advanced A 6F Intruder II was proposed in the mid 1980s that would have replaced the Intruder s elderly Pratt amp Whitney J52 turbojets with non afterburning versions of the General Electric F404 turbofan used in the F A 18 Hornet providing substantial improvements in both power and fuel economy The A 6F would have had totally new avionics including a Norden AN APQ 173 synthetic aperture radar and multi function cockpit displays the APQ 173 would have given the Intruder air to air capacity with provision for the AIM 120 AMRAAM Two additional wing pylons were added for a total of seven stations Although five development aircraft were built the U S Navy ultimately chose not to authorize the A 6F preferring to concentrate on the A 12 Avenger II This left the service in a quandary when the A 12 was canceled in 1991 Grumman proposed a cheaper alternative in the A 6G which had most of the A 6F s advanced electronics but retained the existing engines 38 This too was canceled Electronic warfare versions Edit Main article Northrop Grumman EA 6B Prowler US Marine Corps EA 6A Intruder electronics aircraft of VMCJ 2 Playboys aboard USS America in 1974 during a visit to Scotland An electronic warfare EW Electronic countermeasures ECW version of the Intruder was developed early in the aircraft s life for the USMC which needed a new ECM platform to replace its elderly F3D 2Q Skyknights An EW version of the Intruder initially designated A2F 1H rather than A2F 1Q as Q was being split to relegate it to passive electronic warfare and H to active and subsequently redesignated EA 6A first flew on 26 April 1963 It had a Bunker Ramo AN ALQ 86 ECM suite with most electronics contained on the walnut shaped pod atop the vertical fin They were equipped with AN APQ 129 fire control radar and theoretically capable of firing the AGM 45 Shrike anti radiation missile although they were apparently not used in that role The navigational radar is AN APN 153 Only 28 EA 6As were built two prototypes 15 new build and 11 conversions from A 6As serving with U S Marine Corps squadrons in Vietnam It was phased out of front line service in the mid 1970s remaining in use in reserve VMCJ units with the USMC and then the United States Navy in specialized VAQ units primarily for training purposes The last EA 6A had been retired by 1993 A much more highly specialized derivative of the Intruder was the EA 6B Prowler having a stretched airframe with two additional systems operators and more comprehensive systems for the electronic warfare and SEAD roles A derivative of AN APQ 156 AN APS 130 was installed as the main radar for EA 6B The navigational radar was upgraded to AN APS 133 from the AN APN 153 on EA 6A In total 170 were produced The EA 6B took on the duties of the U S Air Force EF 111 Raven when the DoD decided to let the U S Navy handle all electronic warfare missions The Prowler has been replaced by the EA 18G Growler in the U S Navy and was retired from USMC service in 2019 Variant list Edit YA2F 1 Pre production aircraft eight built with the first four with rotating jet exhaust pipes redesignated YA 6A in 1962 39 A2F 1 First production variant with fixed tailpipe 484 built redesignated A 6A in 1962 39 YA2F 1H Prototype electronic warfare variant one modified from A2F 1 redesignated YEA 6A in 1962 39 A2F 1H Electronic warfare variant of the A2F 1 redesignated EA 6A in 1962 39 YA 6A Pre production aircraft redesignated from YA2F 1 in 1962 39 A 6A First production variant redesignated from A2F 1 in 1962 39 YEA 6A One YA2F 1 electronic warfare variant prototype redesignated in 1962 39 EA 6A Electronic warfare variant redesignated from A2F 1H had a redesigned fin and rudder and addition of an ECM radome able to carry underwing ECM pods three YA 6A and four A 6As converted and 21 built 39 NA 6A The redesignation of three YA 6As and three A 6As The six aircraft were modified for special tests 39 NEA 6A One EA 6A aircraft was modified for special test purposes 39 TA 6A Proposed trainer variant with three seat not built 39 A 6B Variant fitted with avionics for the suppression of enemy air defenses SEAD 19 conversions from A 6A 15 EA 6B Prowler Electronic warfare variant of the A 6A with longer fuselage for four crew 39 YEA 6B The designation of two EA 6B prototypes which were modified for special test purposes A 6C A 6A conversion for low level attack role with electro optical sensors twelve converted 39 KA 6D A 6A conversion for flight refueling 58 converted 39 A 6E Intruder of VA 52 1981 A 6E A 6A with improved electronics 39 A 6E TRAM A 6E upgraded with the AN AAS 33 Target Recognition Attack Multi Sensor or TRAM pod Capable of dropping Laser Guided Bombs without a targeting pod Can also carry the AGM 84 Harpoon 40 A 6E SWIP A 6E TRAM upgraded with the AN ALR 67 RWR and ability to carry the AGM 88 HARM AGM 62 Walleye AGM 84E SLAM and AGM 65 Maverick Several versions had new composite wings 40 A 6F Intruder II Advanced version with updated electronics and General Electric F404 turbofans only 5 built A 6G Proposed cheaper alternative to the A 6F with its advanced electronics but existing J52 turbojets G 128 12 Unbuilt single seat A 6 based design proposal for the VA L competition for A 4 Skyhawk replacement based on existing design Contract ultimately awarded to the LTV A 7 Corsair II 41 Operators EditSee also List of A 6 Intruder operators United StatesUnited States Navy 1963 1997 United States Marine Corps 1963 1993 Aircraft on display Edit A Grumman A 6 Intruder on display at Grumman Memorial Park An A 6 Intruder on display at the Udvar Hazy Center An A 6F Intruder prototype on display at the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum New York City An A 6E Intruder on display at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum For EA 6A and EA 6B see Northrop Grumman EA 6B Prowler A 6A147867 Alleghany Arms amp Armory Museum Smethport Pennsylvania 42 151826 Battleship Memorial Park Mobile Alabama 43 displayed as a KA 6D KA 6D149482 NAS Whidbey Oak Harbor Washington 44 displayed as an A 6E 152910 Oakland Aviation Museum Oakland California 45 A 6E151782 USS Midway Museum San Diego California 46 152599 Patriots Point Naval amp Maritime Museum Mount Pleasant South Carolina 47 152603 Richmond Municipal Airport Richmond Indiana 48 152907 NAS Whidbey Oak Harbor Washington 49 152923 Norfolk Naval Station Chambers Field former NAS Norfolk Norfolk Virginia 50 152935 Empire State Aerosciences Museum Glenville New York 51 152936 United States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology NCC China Lake North Ridgecrest California 52 154131 Walker Field Colorado Park Grand Junction Colorado 53 154162 Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs California 54 154167 Steven F Udvar Hazy Center NASM Washington D C 55 154170 Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum MCAS Miramar San Diego California 56 154171 Estrella Warbird Museum Paso Robles California 57 155595 Pacific Coast Air Museum Santa Rosa California 58 155610 National Naval Aviation Museum NAS Pensacola Pensacola Florida 59 155627 NAS Fallon Fallon Nevada 60 155629 Hickory Aviation Museum Hickory NC 61 155644 Yanks Air Museum Chino California 62 155648 Aviation Wing of the Marietta Museum of History Dobbins ARB formerly Atlanta NAS Atlanta Georgia 63 155661 Camp Blanding Museum and Memorial Park Camp Blanding Florida 64 155713 Pima Air amp Space Museum adjacent to Davis Monthan AFB Tucson Arizona 65 156997 Patuxent River Naval Air Museum NAS Patuxent River Lexington Park Maryland 66 157001 Naval Inventory Control Point Philadelphia Pennsylvania 67 157024 Defense General Supply Center Richmond Virginia 68 158532 USS Lexington Museum Corpus Christi Texas 69 158794 Museum of Flight Seattle Washington 70 159567 Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Dahlgren Virginia 71 159568 Patuxent River NAS Lexington Park Maryland 72 159901 NAF El Centro El Centro California 73 160995 Yanks Air Museum Chino California 74 161676 Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport Pennsylvania 75 162182 Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum Space Coast Regional Airport Titusville Florida 76 162195 San Diego Aerospace Museum San Diego California 77 162206 Oregon Air and Space Museum Eugene Oregon 78 164378 Eastern Carolina Aviation Exhibit Havelock North Carolina 79 164384 Grumman Memorial Park Long Island New York 80 A 6F162184 Cradle of Aviation Museum Garden City New York 81 162185 Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum New York City New York 82 Specifications A 6E Edit A 6 ordnance 1962 Data from Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1982 83 83 Jet Bombers From the Messerschmitt Me 262 to the Stealth B 2 84 General characteristicsCrew 2 pilot bombardier navigator Length 54 ft 9 in 16 69 m Wingspan 53 ft 0 in 16 15 m Width 25 ft 2 in 7 67 m wing folded Height 16 ft 2 in 4 93 m Wing area 528 9 sq ft 49 14 m2 Aspect ratio 5 31 1 85 Empty weight 26 660 lb 12 093 kg Max takeoff weight 60 400 lb 27 397 kg shore based operations Fuel capacity 2 385 US gal 1 986 imp gal 9 030 L internal fuel Zero lift drag coefficient 0 0144 85 Powerplant 2 Pratt amp Whitney J52 P8B turbojets 9 300 lbf 41 kN thrust eachPerformance Maximum speed 560 kn 640 mph 1 040 km h at sea level Cruise speed 412 kn 474 mph 763 km h Stall speed 98 kn 113 mph 181 km h flaps down Never exceed speed 700 kn 810 mph 1 300 km h Combat range 878 nmi 1 010 mi 1 626 km with max payload Ferry range 2 818 nmi 3 243 mi 5 219 km Service ceiling 42 400 ft 12 900 m g limits 2 4 to 6 5 Rate of climb 7 620 ft min 38 7 m s Lift to drag 15 2 85 Take off run to 50 ft 15 m 4 530 ft 1 380 m Landing run from 50 ft 15 m 2 540 ft 770 m Armament Hardpoints Five hardpoints with a capacity of 3 600 lb 1 600 kg each 4 under wings 1 under fuselage 18 000 lb 8 200 kg total with provisions to carry combinations of Rockets 12x LAU 10 4 round 5 inch 127 mm Zuni pods 12x LAU 68 7 round 2 75 inch 70 mm FFAR pods 12x LAU 61 LAU 68 19 round 2 75 inch 70 mm FFAR pods Missiles AGM 45 Shrike anti radar missile 86 2 AGM 78 Standard ARM anti radar missile 87 2 AGM 62 Walleye TV guided glide bomb 88 AGM 65 Maverick air to ground missile 88 6 AGM 84 Harpoon anti ship missile 88 AGM 84E Standoff Land Attack Missile 89 4 AGM 88 HARM anti radar missile AGM 123 Skipper air to ground missile AIM 9 Sidewinder air to air missile 90 ADM 141 TALD decoy missiles 91 Bombs 28 Mk 82 500 lb 227 kg GP bombs or Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster bomb 86 note 1 13 Mk 83 1 000 lb 454 kg GP bombs 86 5 Mk 84 2 000 lb 907 kg GP bombs 86 5x GBU 12 16 10 laser guided bombs 5x CBU 72 Fuel Air Explosives 86 Up to three B43 B57 or B61 nuclear weapons 86 Other Mk 60 Captor Mine Up to 5 300 US gal 250 imp gal 1 100 L drop tanks Various practice stores chaff launchers baggage pods flares 86 Notable appearances in media EditMain article Aircraft in fiction A 6 IntruderSee also EditRelated development Northrop Grumman EA 6B ProwlerAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Blackburn Buccaneer Dassault Breguet Super Etendard Sukhoi Su 17Related lists List of accidents and incidents involving the Grumman A 6 Intruder List of attack aircraft List of military aircraft of the United States List of United States military aerial refueling aircraftReferences EditNotes Edit Which technically capable of carrying 30 bombs the rear inboard position of the Multiple Ejector Racks on hardpoints 2 and 4 internal wing had to be left clear to allow the landing gear to retract freely Citations Edit https archive org details 202417484a6intruder page n5 mode 2up p 3 A 6 Intruder globalsecurity org Retrieved 20 January 2021 Jenkins 2002 pp 5 6 a b c d e f Gunston and Gilchrist 1993 p 209 Jenkins 2002 pp 6 7 Jenkins 2002 p 7 Lawrence Mead Jr Aerospace Engineer Dies at 94 The New York Times 30 August 2012 Jenkins 2002 p 11 Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1993 p 40 a b Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1993 p 41 Grumman Aircraft since 1929 Rene J Francillon ISBN 0 85177 835 6 p 431 https archive org details 202417484a6intruder page n5 mode 2up p 5 Attack Aircraft of the West Bill Gunston 1974 ISBN 0 7110 0523 0 p 225 a b Gunston and Gilchrist 1993 p 210 a b c Andrews Hal September October 1997 Life of the Intruder Naval Aviation News Vol 79 no 6 pp 8 16 a b Gunston and Gilchrist 1993 pp 210 211 Northrop Grumman Flight International 23 October 1996 Gunston and Gilchrist 1993 p 211 a b Trimble Stephen 4 April 2011 US naval aviation back on the rise Flight International Gunston and Gilchrist 1993 p 211 212 Gunston and Gilchrist 1993 p 212 Gunston and Spick 1983 page needed Hobson 2001 pp 269 270 4th December 1983 The Year 1983 Ejection History 23 June 2011 Archived from the original on 21 September 2013 Retrieved 11 September 2013 A 6E TRAM BuNo 152915 coded AC side number 556 VA 85 Black Falcons Near Kfar Salwan 15 M E of Beirut Lebanon shot down by Syrian SAM 7 during bombing Lt Mark Doppler Lange ejected BN Robert O Bobby Goodman ejected A 6E Intruder Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine National Museum of Naval Aviation Retrieved 16 December 2007 Lee Robin J Coalition Fixed Wing Combat Aircraft Attrition in Desert Storm rjlee org Retrieved 8 July 2012 Caldwell Richard H US Military Aircraft Nicknames Flightline Retrieved 11 April 2007 Homepage image caption for 10 April 2007 Archived 8 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine United States Marine Corps History Division home page Retrieved 11 April 2007 Japanese Ship Accidentally Downs U S Jet Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times 5 June 1996 The Last Time A Japanese Warship Shot Down A U S Navy Plane Was Actually Not So Long Ago 4 June 2021 Boeing and General Dynamics to appeal against ruling in A 12 case Flight International 8 October 2007 Trimble Stephen 3 August 2007 Northrop Grumman wins US Navy unmanned bomber contract Flight International Hildebrandt Erik 1996 1997 Burial at Sea Navy s A 6 Intruder is Retiring and What Could be a More Fitting End Air and Space Smithsonian December 1996 January 1997 Volume 11 5 Pages 64 70 Also Burial at Sea A 6 Displays Archived 18 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine intruderassociation org Retrieved 19 July 2010 a b c Jenkins 2002 p 100 Jenkins 2002 pp 33 41 AN APQ Airborne Multipurpose Special Radars designation systems net 1 July 2007 Retrieved 27 January 2015 Pentagon Proposes Buying A 6 Intruders PDF Grumman World vol 7 no 9 p 1 13 May 1988 retrieved 6 October 2017 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Andrade 1979 pp 37 38 a b Morgan Rick 2017 Osprey Combat Aircraft 121 A 6 Intruder Units 1974 96 Osprey Publishing ISBN 978 1 4728 1877 5 Buttler 2010 pp 147 148 A 6 Intruder 147867 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 151826 Retrieved 9 December 2019 A 6 Intruder 149482 Retrieved 11 September 2019 Aerial Visuals Airframe Dossier Grumman KA 6D Intruder s n 152910 USN c n I 214 www aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 22 November 2022 A 6 Intruder 151782 USS Midway Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 152599 Patriots Point Naval amp Maritime Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 152603 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 152907 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 152923 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 152935 Empire State Aerosciences Museum Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 152936 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 154131 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 154162 Archived 17 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Palm Springs Air Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 154167 NASM Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 154170 Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 154171 Estrella Warbird Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 155595 Pacific Coast Air Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 155610 National Naval Aviation Museum Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 155627 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 Flight Line hickoryaviationmuseum org A 6 Intruder 155644 Archived 6 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Yanks Air Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 155648 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 155661 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 155713 Pima Air amp Space Museum Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 156997 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 157001 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 157024 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 158532 USS Lexington Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 158794 Museum of Flight Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 159567 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 21 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 159568 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 159901 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 160995 Archived 6 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Yanks Air Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 161676 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 162182 Archived 29 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine Valiant Air Command Museum Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 162195 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 162206 Oregon Air and Space Museum Retrieved 10 March 2013 A 6 Intruder 164378 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder 164384 aerialvisuals ca Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder II 162184 Archived 7 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Cradle of Aviation Museum Retrieved 23 July 2015 A 6 Intruder II 162185 Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum Retrieved 23 July 2015 Taylor 1982 pp 377 378 Gunston and Gilchrist 1993 p 213 a b c Loftin LK Jr Quest for Performance The Evolution of Modern Aircraft NASA SP 468 nasa gov Retrieved 22 April 2006 a b c d e f g NAVAIR 00 110AA6 5 Standard Aircraft Characteristics A 6E TRAM Intruder PDF US Navy November 1979 Retrieved 12 January 2019 via alternatewars com Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983 p 44 a b c Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983 p 56 Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983 p 57 Dorr Air International November 1986 p 229 Dorr World Air Power Journal Spring 1983 p 60 Bibliography Edit Andrade John U S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 Leicester UK Midland Counties Publications 1979 ISBN 0 904597 22 9 Buttler Tony 2010 American Secret Projects Bombers Attack and Anti Submarine Aircraft 1945 to 1974 Hinckley England Midland Publishing ISBN 978 1 85780 331 0 Donald David and Jon Lake Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft London Aerospace Publishing Single Volume edition 1996 ISBN 1 874023 95 6 Dorr Robert F Grumman A 6 Intruder London Osprey Publishing 1987 ISBN 0 85045 816 1 Dorr Robert F Grumman A 6 Intruder amp EA 6 Prowler World Air Power Journal Spring 1983 Volume 12 pp 34 95 ISBN 1 874023 18 2 ISSN 0959 7050 Dorr Robert F Intruders and Prowlers Air International November 1986 Vol 31 No 5 pp 227 236 250 252 ISSN 0306 5634 Gunston Bill and Mike Spick Modern Air Combat New York Crescent Books 1983 ISBN 0 517 41265 9 Gunston Bill and Peter Gilchrist Jet Bombers From the Messerschmitt Me 262 to the Stealth B 2 Osprey 1993 ISBN 1 85532 258 7 Hildebrandt Erik 1996 1997 Burial at Sea Navy s A 6 Intruder is Retiring and What Could be a More Fitting End Air and Space Smithsonian December 1996 January 1997 Volume 11 5 Pages 64 70 Also Burial at Sea Hobson Chris Vietnam Air Losses USAF USN USMC Fixed Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia 1961 1973 North Branch Minnesota Specialty Press 2001 ISBN 1 85780 115 6 Jenkins Dennis R Grumman A 6 Intruder Warbird Tech 33 North Branch Minnesota Specialty Press 2002 ISBN 1 58007 050 7 Miska Kurt H Grumman A 6A E Intruder EA 6A EA 6B Prowler Aircraft in Profile number 252 Aircraft in Profile Volume 14 Windsor Berkshire UK Profile Publications Ltd 1974 pp 137 160 ISBN 0 85383 023 1 Morgan Mark and Rick Morgan Intruder The Operational History of Grumman s A 6 Atglen Pennsylvania Schiffer Publishing Ltd 2004 ISBN 0 7643 2100 5 Morgan Rick A 6 Intruder Units of the Vietnam War Osprey Combat Aircraft 93 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing Limited 2012 ISBN 978 1 84908 755 1 Reardon Carol Launch the Intruders University of Kansas Press 2005 ISBN 978 0 7006 1677 0 Taylor John W R Grumman A 6 Intruder Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the Present New York G P Putnam s Sons 1969 ISBN 0 425 03633 2 Taylor John W R Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1982 83 London Jane s Yearbooks 1982 ISBN 0 7106 0748 2 Winchester Jim ed Grumman A 6 Intruder Military Aircraft of the Cold War The Aviation Factfile London Grange Books plc 2006 ISBN 1 84013 929 3 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grumman A 6 Intruder A 6E Intruder Intruder Association A 6 page on globalsecurity org Joe Baugher s website on the Grumman A 6 Intruder Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Grumman A 6 Intruder amp oldid 1128556055, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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