Large payloads over any weather condition was the idea based around the A-6 Intruder. This versitile Carrier-borne aircraft was concieved by Grumman in a Navy request. 8 companies replied to the Navy's specifications and a total of 11 aircraft designs were presented. In late 1957, Grumman's design, the G-128 was selected and designated A-2F (or A-6 later). The first flight was the one of eight proto-types the YA2F-1 in April of 1960. In 1962 the A-2F was redesignated the A-6 Intruder and a total of 484 were ordered. It was equiped with the latest in flight control technology and incorperated the worlds first digital navagation and attack system. The A-6 took no time in proving itself an excellent strike aircraft in the theatre of war. Even it's high maintanance demands could not surpass its performance record. In the Viet Nam war it proved itself so effetive it landed itself another 30 years with the Navy. Newer versions have been updated to hold the most advanced FLIR and night vision aquiring systems. Some versions will even see composite wings and state of the art electronics. The A-6 will surely hold it's place with the Navy for quite some time.
2
Specifications
Description Data
Developer Grumman
Type Heavy Strike (Bomber)
Crew
Power Plant 2 PW J52-P-8B turbo jets
Wingspan 53 ft. (16.15 m)
Length 54.75 ft. (16.7 m)
Inflight refueling Probe and Drogue
Weight 26,456 lb. (12,000 kg)
Radar
Performance
Action Data
Ceiling 42,500 ft (12,954 m)
Max Tow / Max Lift 9,300 lb (4,218 kg) Thrust
Payload 18,000 lb (8,165 kg)
Topspeed
at sea level560 knots (1,038 km/h) (Mach 0.85)
at hight
Cruise 400 knots
Combat Radius 316 naut mi (595 km) @ full load
Armament / Ordanace
Type Size Max Placement
AGM-78 - 4 Under wing tech
AGM-65 Maverick - 4 Under wing tech
AGM-53 Condor - 4 Under wing tech
AGM-45 Shrike - 4 Under wing tech
AGM-88 - 4 Under wing tech
AIM-9 Sidewinder - 2 Outer wing tech