Difference between revisions of "A-7 Corsair II"

Revision as of 01:44, June 8, 2008

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

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.

Service

The A-7s 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. One shining star on the career of the airplane came when six 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.

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.

Later service

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.

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.

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	650 miles per hour
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.

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 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]].
+{| 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'''
+| 650 miles per hour
+|-
+| '''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.
+|}
 [[Category: Aircraft]]