Difference between revisions of "A-7 Corsair II"

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(New page: The A-7 Corsair II was a light bomber and attack aircraft used primarily by the Navy. It was intended as a complement and eventually a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk. ==Design== ...)
 
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The A-7 Corsair II was a light bomber and attack aircraft used primarily by the Navy. It was intended as a complement and eventually a replacement for the [[A-4 Skyhawk]]. 
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[[Image:A-7e-dnst9206556 jpg-s.jpg|right|thumb|350 px|Two A-7E jets in flight.]]
  
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The '''A-7 Corsair II''' was a light bomber and attack aircraft used primarily by the Navy.  It was intended as a complement and eventually a replacement for the [[A-4 Skyhawk]], going into service in 1966. 
 
==Design==
 
==Design==
  
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Vought built the aircraft in a remarkably short time, mostly because it was basically the same design as the [[F-8 Crusader]].  The first test aircraft (named after the World War II fighter) were delivered in 1964.   
 
Vought built the aircraft in a remarkably short time, mostly because it was basically the same design as the [[F-8 Crusader]].  The first test aircraft (named after the World War II fighter) were delivered in 1964.   
  
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After a period of onshore testing, the A-7 was delivered to VA-147 on the [[USS ''Ranger'']] in 1966.  The [[United States Air Force| Air Force]] also bought a more highly powered version for light ground support. 
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After a period of onshore testing, the A-7 was delivered to VA-147 on the ''[[USS Ranger]]'' in 1966.  The [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] also bought a more highly powered version for light ground support.   
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==Service==
 
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The A-7s combat debut came in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], where it was effective in attacks on North Vietnamese MiG bases and on the [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]] in [[Laos]].  One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six A-7s with Mark 55 mines, supported only by several [[F-4]]s and two [[EA-6 Prowler]]s, mined [[Haiphong Harbor]] in 1972.  Despite doubts by some military leaders, the aircraft held its own against supersonic jets.   
 
  
 
==Versions==
 
==Versions==
  
 
===A-7B===
 
===A-7B===
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The A-7Bs had the more powerful [[Pratt & Whitney]] TF30-P-8 engine, which provided 12,200 pounds of thrust.  These airplanes were the primary A-7 version in [[Vietnam]].
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The A-7Bs had the more powerful Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-8 engine, which provided 12,200 pounds of thrust.  These airplanes were the primary A-7 version in [[Vietnam]].
 
  
 
===A-7C===
 
===A-7C===
−
 
 
The A-7Cs were modified to carry the 13,400 pounds of thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] TF30-P-408 engine.   
 
The A-7Cs were modified to carry the 13,400 pounds of thrust [[Pratt & Whitney]] TF30-P-408 engine.   
  
 
===A-7D===
 
===A-7D===
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The A-7Ds were the first to carry the M61A-1 Vulcan cannon in the fuselage.  They also were equipped with laser-guided bombs.   
 
The A-7Ds were the first to carry the M61A-1 Vulcan cannon in the fuselage.  They also were equipped with laser-guided bombs.   
  
 
===A-7E===
 
===A-7E===
 +
The A-7Es had an Allison/Rolls-Royce engine which provided 15,000 pounds of thrust.  It also was equipped with [[forward looking infrared (FLIR)]] equipment which enabled it to fly at night. 
 +
 +
==Service==
 +
 +
===Vietnam===
 +
 +
The A-7's combat debut came in [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]], where it was effective in attacks on North Vietnamese MiG bases and on the [[Ho Chi Minh Trail]] in [[Laos]]. The first A-7 squadron to be deployed to Vietnam was VA-147, based aboard the USS ''Ranger''; they flew over 1400 sorties, losing only one aircraft. 
 +
 +
A-7's were effective in search and rescue missions, where they escorted [[helicopter]]s to the location of the downed aircraft; they replaced the [[A-1 Skyraider]] in this role. Air Force A-7D's flew nearly 13,000 missions in Vietnam, and the aircraft was second for the record for the most ordnance dropped on [[Hanoi]], after the [[B-52 Stratofortress]].
 +
 +
One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six Navy A-7s with Mark 55 [[mine]]s, supported only by several [[F-4]]s and two [[EA-6 Prowler]]s, mined [[Haiphong]] [[Harbor]] in 1972.
 +
 +
Despite doubts by some military leaders, the aircraft held its own against [[supersonic]] jets.  Only one Corsair was lost in air-to-air combat, to a [[MiG-21]] in May 1972.<ref>''MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War'', by Istvan Toperczer, Osprey Publishing, 2001</ref>
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 +
[[Image:A-7 wing.jpg|left|thumb|250 px|A flight of A-7s.]]
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 +
===Lebanon===
 +
 +
Corsairs saw combat again ten years later, in strikes on [[Syria]]n positions in [[Lebanon]] in December 1983.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_278.shtml Disaster in Lebanon]</ref> 
 +
 +
===Libya===
 +
 +
A-7's also saw action against [[Libya]] in 1986; after Libyan air defense operators fired SA-5 [[surface-to-air missile]]s at a pair of [[F-14 Tomcat]]s, two A-7Es from the USS ''Saratoga'' attacked and destroyed the Libyan radar with [[AGM-88 HARM]]s. Later, Corsairs from the ''America'' participated in [[Operation El Dorado Canyon]], supporting the main strikes against [[Tripoli]] and [[Benghazi]] by suppressing SAM sites with [[AGM-45 Shrike]] and AGM-88 HARM missiles.<ref>''El Dorado Canyon: Reagan's Undeclared War with Qaddafi'', by Joseph T. Stanik, Naval Institute Press, 2003</ref>
 +
 +
===Iran===
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 +
The aircraft saw action against [[Iran]]ian targets in the [[Persian Gulf]] during [[Operation Praying Mantis]] in April 1988. A-7E's sank the Iranian frigate ''Sahand'' after the destroyer ''Samuel B. Roberts'' hit an Iranian mine.
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[[Image:Sahandburning.jpg|300 px|thumb|right|The ''Sahand'' burning after being hit by A-7's with [[Harpoon missile]]s and bombs.]]
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 +
===First Gulf War===
 +
 +
Navy A-7s were still effective in the first [[Gulf War]], using Walleye TV guided bombs, HARMs, and [[laser]] bombs to attack Iraqi targets.  Tanker A-7s also performed well. 
 +
 +
===Retirement===
 +
 +
By the second Gulf War, the A-7s had been retired.  The last mission of A-7s in active duty was the testing of anti-radar equipment for the [[F-117]].  The plane has been replaced in the Navy by the [[F-18 Hornet]] and in the Air Force, by the [[A-10]].
 +
 +
==Operators==
 +
 +
===Greece===
 +
[[Greece]] operates two A-7 squadrons, which have been much upgraded with superior [[avionics]] and arms capability, under the name of A-7H and A-7E. They are used for ground attack missions, although they also use some variants as training aircraft.
 +
 +
===Portugal===
 +
[[Portugal]] ordered 20 A-7 airframes in 1980, and later purchased six training aircraft and 24 other A-7's. Corsair II's logged over 64,000 flight hours in the Portuguese Navy before being retired in 1999.
 +
 +
===Thailand===
 +
[[Thailand]] purchased fourteen A-7E's and four TA-7C's in 1995. They are currently operative but not operational.
 +
 +
==Specifications==
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
 +
|-
 +
| '''Type'''
 +
| Light attack aircraft
 +
|-
 +
| '''Contractor'''
 +
| Vought
 +
|-
 +
| '''Power plant'''
 +
| (A-7E) One Allison/Rolls-Royce TF41-A-2 with 15,000 pounds of thrust
 +
|-
 +
| '''Length'''
 +
| 46 feet
 +
|-
 +
| '''Height'''
 +
| 16 feet, 1 inches
 +
|-
 +
| '''Speed'''
 +
| 690 miles per hour without stores
 +
|-
 +
| '''Wingspan'''
 +
| 38 feet, 9 inches
 +
|-
 +
| '''Weight'''
 +
| 19,111 pounds empty
 +
|-
 +
| '''Crew'''
 +
| One
 +
|-
 +
|'''Range'''
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|Unrefueled 2,861 miles
 +
|-
 +
|'''Maximum Weight'''
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|42,000 pounds
 +
|-
 +
|'''Armament'''
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|Assorted stores up to 15,000 pounds, including Mark 55 mines, anti-radiation missiles, unguided bombs, TV guided bombs, and laser-guided bombs.  One Vulcan M61A-1 cannon in the fuselage.
 +
|}
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 +
[[Image:A 7E Corsair II.JPG]]
  
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The A-7Es had an Allison/Rolls-Royce engine which provided 15,000 pounds of thrust.  It also was equipped with forward looking infrared (FLIR) equipment which enabled it to fly at night. 
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==External links==
  
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==Later service==
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*[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/a-7.htm A-7 at FAS]
  
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Navy A-7s were still effective in the first Gulf War, using Walleye TV guided bombs, HARMs, and laser bombs to attack Iraqi targets. Tanker A-7s also performed well.
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*[http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=116 A-7 at Militaryfactory.com]
  
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By the second Gulf War, the A-7s had been retired.  The last mission of A-7s in active duty was the testing of anti-radar equipment for the [[F-117]].  The plane has been replaced in the Navy by the [[F-18 Hornet]] and in the Air Force, the [[A-10]]. 
+
==References==
 +
<references/>
  
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[[Category: Aircraft]]
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[[Category:United States Navy Aircraft]]
 +
[[Category:Military Aircraft]]

Latest revision as of 22:17, February 14, 2018

Two A-7E jets in flight.

The A-7 Corsair II was a light bomber and attack aircraft used primarily by the Navy. It was intended as a complement and eventually a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk, going into service in 1966.

Design

The Navy wanted an aircraft with increased range and payload to replace the A-4. Several companies, including Grumman, Douglas, and North American tried for the contract, but eventually it was Vought who received the contract.

Vought built the aircraft in a remarkably short time, mostly because it was basically the same design as the F-8 Crusader. The first test aircraft (named after the World War II fighter) were delivered in 1964.

After a period of onshore testing, the A-7 was delivered to VA-147 on the USS Ranger in 1966. The Air Force also bought a more highly powered version for light ground support.

Versions

A-7B

The A-7Bs had the more powerful Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-8 engine, which provided 12,200 pounds of thrust. These airplanes were the primary A-7 version in Vietnam.

A-7C

The A-7Cs were modified to carry the 13,400 pounds of thrust Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-408 engine.

A-7D

The A-7Ds were the first to carry the M61A-1 Vulcan cannon in the fuselage. They also were equipped with laser-guided bombs.

A-7E

The A-7Es had an Allison/Rolls-Royce engine which provided 15,000 pounds of thrust. It also was equipped with forward looking infrared (FLIR) equipment which enabled it to fly at night.

Service

Vietnam

The A-7's combat debut came in Vietnam, where it was effective in attacks on North Vietnamese MiG bases and on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. The first A-7 squadron to be deployed to Vietnam was VA-147, based aboard the USS Ranger; they flew over 1400 sorties, losing only one aircraft.

A-7's were effective in search and rescue missions, where they escorted helicopters to the location of the downed aircraft; they replaced the A-1 Skyraider in this role. Air Force A-7D's flew nearly 13,000 missions in Vietnam, and the aircraft was second for the record for the most ordnance dropped on Hanoi, after the B-52 Stratofortress.

One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six Navy A-7s with Mark 55 mines, supported only by several F-4s and two EA-6 Prowlers, mined Haiphong Harbor in 1972.

Despite doubts by some military leaders, the aircraft held its own against supersonic jets. Only one Corsair was lost in air-to-air combat, to a MiG-21 in May 1972.[1]

A flight of A-7s.

Lebanon

Corsairs saw combat again ten years later, in strikes on Syrian positions in Lebanon in December 1983.[2]

Libya

A-7's also saw action against Libya in 1986; after Libyan air defense operators fired SA-5 surface-to-air missiles at a pair of F-14 Tomcats, two A-7Es from the USS Saratoga attacked and destroyed the Libyan radar with AGM-88 HARMs. Later, Corsairs from the America participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, supporting the main strikes against Tripoli and Benghazi by suppressing SAM sites with AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-88 HARM missiles.[3]

Iran

The aircraft saw action against Iranian targets in the Persian Gulf during Operation Praying Mantis in April 1988. A-7E's sank the Iranian frigate Sahand after the destroyer Samuel B. Roberts hit an Iranian mine.

The Sahand burning after being hit by A-7's with Harpoon missiles and bombs.

First Gulf War

Navy A-7s were still effective in the first Gulf War, using Walleye TV guided bombs, HARMs, and laser bombs to attack Iraqi targets. Tanker A-7s also performed well.

Retirement

By the second Gulf War, the A-7s had been retired. The last mission of A-7s in active duty was the testing of anti-radar equipment for the F-117. The plane has been replaced in the Navy by the F-18 Hornet and in the Air Force, by the A-10.

Operators

Greece

Greece operates two A-7 squadrons, which have been much upgraded with superior avionics and arms capability, under the name of A-7H and A-7E. They are used for ground attack missions, although they also use some variants as training aircraft.

Portugal

Portugal ordered 20 A-7 airframes in 1980, and later purchased six training aircraft and 24 other A-7's. Corsair II's logged over 64,000 flight hours in the Portuguese Navy before being retired in 1999.

Thailand

Thailand purchased fourteen A-7E's and four TA-7C's in 1995. They are currently operative but not operational.

Specifications

Type Light attack aircraft
Contractor Vought
Power plant (A-7E) One Allison/Rolls-Royce TF41-A-2 with 15,000 pounds of thrust
Length 46 feet
Height 16 feet, 1 inches
Speed 690 miles per hour without stores
Wingspan 38 feet, 9 inches
Weight 19,111 pounds empty
Crew One
Range Unrefueled 2,861 miles
Maximum Weight 42,000 pounds
Armament Assorted stores up to 15,000 pounds, including Mark 55 mines, anti-radiation missiles, unguided bombs, TV guided bombs, and laser-guided bombs. One Vulcan M61A-1 cannon in the fuselage.

A 7E Corsair II.JPG

External links

References

  1. ↑ MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War, by Istvan Toperczer, Osprey Publishing, 2001
  2. ↑ Disaster in Lebanon
  3. ↑ El Dorado Canyon: Reagan's Undeclared War with Qaddafi, by Joseph T. Stanik, Naval Institute Press, 2003
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