Photograph:
Grumman A-6E Intruder 154167 at the Udvar Hazy Museum in Washington in July 2007 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat carrier or shore-based attack aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 9,300 lbst Pratt & Whitney J-52-P-8A or B turbojets
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 16.15 m (53 ft)
- Wingspan [folded]: 7.72 m (25 ft 4 in)
- Height: 4.93 m (16 ft 2 in)
- Wing area: 49.1 m² (528.9 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 1,043 km/h (648 mph)
- Max speed at high altitude [clean]: 1006 km/h (625 mph)
- Ferry range with max internal and external fuel: 4,382 km (2,723 miles)
- Range with full weapon load: 3,096 km (1,924 miles)
- Max rate of climb at sea level [clean]: 2,804 m/min (9,200 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 14,480 m (47,500 ft)
- Empty weight: 12,596 kg (27,769 lb)
- Loaded weight: 27,397 kg (60,400 lb)
Armament:
One under fuselage and four underwing attachments for max external load of 8,165 kg (18,000 lb); variety of nuclear or conventional weapons; typical load of thirty 227 kg (500 lb) bombs in clusters of six; air-launched missiles including Harpoon anti-shipping missile
History:
The Intruder was a twin-engine, two-seat, all-weather strike aircraft that was built in some numbers for operations from United States Navy (USN) aircraft carriers, entering service in 1963. It operated in a range of models with the US Navy and the US Marine Corps, making its combat debut over Vietnam, and went on to perform operations in Iraq in Operation Desert Storm, where a derivative known as the Prowler was regarded as the best all-round defence suppression platform.
The A-6 series culminated from a requirement of the US forces after the Korean War and The Cold War for a replacement for the Douglas Skyraider. In answer to a Request for Proposals, eight United States manufacturers put forward designs. On 2 January 1958 Grumman won the competition to produce the A2F-1, the prototype flying for the first time on 19 April 1960 (Bu Aer 147864), this aircraft having been built at the Company’s facility at Bethpage on Long Island, the second aircraft (Bu Aer 147865) flying on 28 July 1960.
The Intruder joined the ‘USS Enterprise’ (CVAN-65) for carrier qualification trials in December 1962, it now being known as the A-6. First operational unit was VA-75 in 1965 with the US Navy, followed by VMA (AW) 242 with the US Marines, this unit taking the aircraft into combat in Vietnam.
The type was developed to meet a range of duties, including tanker, Elint, Prowler etc. The first A-6E (a converted A-6A [Bu Aer 155678]) first flew at Calverton on 27 July 1970, the first new build aircraft flying on 26 September 1971, this model having Pratt & Whitney J-52-P-8B engines, a new central computer, multi mode radar and weapons release system. As new-build aircraft rolled off the production line existing A-6As were rebuilt to A-6E standard.
In 2013, after representations to the United States Government, an A-6E was allotted to the Australian National Vietnam Veterans Museum (ANVVM) at Phillip Island, Victoria, this aircraft to be obtained from the US military storage facility at Davis Monthan Airbase in Arizona, where, after retirement, it was placed in storage. This particular aircraft is Bu Aer 160998 (c/n I-599), and was to be placed on display alongside a Douglas Skyraider. However, by early 2020 neither of the aircraft had been imported and the museum has been awaiting transport arrangements to be completed.