Scott Hanko
Grumman A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was a twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built in the United States by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider. As the A-6E was slated for retirement, its precision strike mission was taken over by the F-14 Tomcat equipped with LANTIRN pod. A specialized electronic warfare derivative, the EA-6B Prowler, remains in service as of 2011.
Following the good showing of the propeller-driven AD-6/7 Skyraider in the Korean War, the United States Navy issued preliminary requirements in 1955 for an all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft.
Following a competition, Grumman was awarded the contract for the development of the A2F-1 in February 1958. The prototype YA2F-1 made the Intruder's first flight on 19 April 1960.
The jet nozzles were originally designed to swivel downwards for shorter takeoffs and landings, but this feature was never incorporated in prototype or production aircraft. The cockpit uses an unusual double pane windscreen and side-by-side seating arrangement in which the pilot sits in the left seat, while the bombardier/ navigator sits to the right and below. The incorporation of an additional crew member with separate responsibilities along with a unique CRT that gives a synthetic display of terrain ahead, enabled low-level attack in all weather conditions.
The wing is very efficient at subsonic speeds compared to supersonic fighters such as the F-4 Phantom II, which are also limited to subsonic speeds when carrying a payload of bombs. A very similar wing would be put on pivots on Grumman's later supersonic swing-wing F-14 Tomcat, as well as similar landing gear. The Intruder was also equipped with the "Deceleron", a type of airbrake on the wings with two panels that open in opposite directions; in this case, one panel goes up, while another goes down.
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier CV-41 Museum-San Diego Ca.
Grumman A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was a twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built in the United States by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider. As the A-6E was slated for retirement, its precision strike mission was taken over by the F-14 Tomcat equipped with LANTIRN pod. A specialized electronic warfare derivative, the EA-6B Prowler, remains in service as of 2011.
Following the good showing of the propeller-driven AD-6/7 Skyraider in the Korean War, the United States Navy issued preliminary requirements in 1955 for an all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft.
Following a competition, Grumman was awarded the contract for the development of the A2F-1 in February 1958. The prototype YA2F-1 made the Intruder's first flight on 19 April 1960.
The jet nozzles were originally designed to swivel downwards for shorter takeoffs and landings, but this feature was never incorporated in prototype or production aircraft. The cockpit uses an unusual double pane windscreen and side-by-side seating arrangement in which the pilot sits in the left seat, while the bombardier/ navigator sits to the right and below. The incorporation of an additional crew member with separate responsibilities along with a unique CRT that gives a synthetic display of terrain ahead, enabled low-level attack in all weather conditions.
The wing is very efficient at subsonic speeds compared to supersonic fighters such as the F-4 Phantom II, which are also limited to subsonic speeds when carrying a payload of bombs. A very similar wing would be put on pivots on Grumman's later supersonic swing-wing F-14 Tomcat, as well as similar landing gear. The Intruder was also equipped with the "Deceleron", a type of airbrake on the wings with two panels that open in opposite directions; in this case, one panel goes up, while another goes down.
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier CV-41 Museum-San Diego Ca.