The Grumman A-6 Intruder was a carrier-borne, subsonic, attack aircraft, which was in service with the US Navy between 1963 and 1997. It saw extensive combat action during the Vietnam War, providing fire support to US ground troops in Southeast Asia. It was also used in the 1991 Gulf War against Iraqi targets, flying 6,444 sorties during that armed conflict. This aircraft was also in service with the US Marine Corps.
As a prototype (YA2F-1), the Grumman A-6 first flew on April 19, 1960. After three years of flight tests and improving the avionics and weapon system, this naval aircraft was finally introduced on October 10, 1963, as the A-6A Intruder, when Grumman delivered the first batch of 32 aircraft to the US Navy. They were the first operational squadron Intruders. The A-6B was basically an A-6A, which was modified to carry the new AGM-78 anti-radiation missile. The A-6E would be an improved version of the Vietnam era A-6A, being fitted with more powerful engines. The EA-6A would be the electronic warfare version, from which the EA-6B Prowler would be developed.
Below, the US Navy's A-6E variant in flight, with ID # 532.
Technical Description
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an all-weather, two-seat, twin-engine, carrier-based aircraft. It featured a mid-wing configuration (mounted on mid portion of fuselage), with a negative dihedral of one degree. The wings had a 25° sweepback at the quarter chord and they could be folded for storage convenience. The A-6E variant was powered by two Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8B turbojet engines, which developed 9,305 pounds of thrust.
The fuselage of the Intruder was semi-monocoque, which was made of aluminum and tapered towards the tail. However, the ventral area was composed of a deep structural keel beam of steel and titanium. The wings and the tail vertical and horizontal stabilizers were of multi-beam construction, with machined aluminum skins and honeycomb trailing edges. It was fitted with a pair of air brakes mounted on the rear portion of fuselage. The landing gear was a conventional tricycle arrangement, with the addition of the catapult tow link to the nose strut.
Specifications (A-6E)
Type: all-weather, attack aircraft
Length: 16.69 m (54 feet, 9 inches)
Wing Span: 16.15 m (53 feet)
Wing Area: 49.13 m² (529 sq. feet)
Height: 4.93 m (16 feet, 2 inches)
Power Plant: two Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8B turbojet engines
Maximum Speed: 1,037 km/h (644 mph)
Range: 1,627 km (1,011 miles)
Service Ceiling: 12,925 m (42,405 feet)
Armament: 8,125 kg (18,000 lb) of bombs.
Avionics: AN/APQ-112 track radar for moving and stationary targets; forward looking infrared sensor and laser designator mounted turret under the nose.
Crew: two
Below, the YA2F-1 prototype in July 1960.
The Grumman A-6 Intruder in action (video)
Below, the A-6E version, VF-176, landing on the deck of USS Forrestal
Intruders flown by US Marine Corps pilots.
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