An advanced A-6F Intruder II was proposed in the mid-1980s that would have replaced the Intruder's elderly Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojets with non-afterburning versions of the General Electric F404 turbofan used in the F/A-18 Hornet, providing substantial improvements in both power and fuel economy. The Navy requested side-by-side seating in order to increase workload in the cockpit. [citation needed], During February 1963, the A-6 was introduced to service with the US Navy; at this point, the type was, according to Gunston and Gilchrist, "the first genuinely all-weather attack bomber in history". The A-6's wing was relatively efficient at subsonic speeds, particularly when compared to supersonic fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, which are also limited to subsonic speeds when carrying a payload of bombs. ", "Boeing and General Dynamics to appeal against ruling in A-12 case", "Northrop Grumman wins US Navy unmanned bomber contract", "AN/APQ – Airborne Multipurpose/Special Radars", "NAVAIR 00-110AA6-5: Standard Aircraft Characteristics: A-6E (TRAM) Intruder", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grumman_A-6_Intruder&oldid=1004358515, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from December 2019, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2011, Articles needing additional references from August 2011, All articles needing additional references, Aircraft specs templates using more general parameter, Aircraft specs templates using more performance parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, KA-6D Intruder of Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34 "Blue Blasters"), 152907 – NAS Whidbey, Oak Harbor, Washington. The Navy and Marine Corps used the A-6 Intruder for a wide array of strike missions during the Vietnam War. This added the ability to carry and target some of the first generation precision guided weapons, like the AGM-84 Harpoon missile, and AGM-123 Skipper. It released a request for proposals (RFP) in February 1957. During the 2010s, the Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike programme was at one point intended to produce an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) successor to the Intruder's long-distance strike role, but the initiative has since changed priorities towards the tanker mission instead. In 1990, the decision was made to terminate production of the A-6. [34] This, too, was canceled. Seconds later the port engine failed, the controls froze, and the two crewmen ejected. 12. A-6 Intruder Cockpit. The cockpit used an unusual double pane windscreen and side-by-side seatingarrangement in which the pilot sat in the left seat, while the bombardier/navigator (BN) sat to the right and slightly below. [13] The A-6C, a dedicated interdictor, was one such model, as was the KA-6D, a buddy store-equipped aerial refuelling tanker. JeffSFO has uploaded 12642 photos to Flickr. Grumman A2F-1, which led to the A-6, received the contract and production began in 1958. For instance, the A-6 was as a tanker in addition to its regular duties. This topic is categorised under: Aircraft » Jets » Grumman A-6 Intruder. The Grumman A-6 Intruder can trace its roots back to the Korean War.Following the success of dedicated ground-attack aircraft, such as the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, during that conflict, the US Navy prepared preliminary requirements for a new carrier-based attack aircraft in 1955. This equipment was manufactured by Litton Industries. Navy Day Go Navy Us Military Aircraft Military Jets Air Force Aircraft Fighter Aircraft Fighter Pilot Fighter Jets Naval Aviator. This display provided a synthetic representation of the world in front of the aircraft, along with steering cues provided by the BN, enabling head-down navigation and attack at night and in all weather conditions.[19]. Join us now! 1996–1997. The A-6 Intruder was a notoriously ugly plane. It had a Bunker-Ramo AN/ALQ-86 ECM suite, with most electronics contained on the walnut-shaped pod atop the vertical fin. Taylor, John W.R. "Grumman A-6 Intruder". Despite the production of new airframes in the 164XXX Bureau Number (BuNo) series just before and after the Gulf War, augmented by a rewinging program of older airframes, the A-6E and KA-6D were quickly phased out of service in the mid-1990s in a U.S. Navy cost-cutting move driven by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to reduce the number of different type/model/series (T/M/S) of aircraft in carrier air wings and U.S. Marine aircraft groups. A derivative of AN/APQ-156, AN/APS-130 was installed as the main radar for EA-6B. A-6 Intruder Cockpit. 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. The A-6 was intended to be superseded by the McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II, but this program was ultimately canceled due to cost overruns. 100 The A-6F would have had totally new avionics, including a Norden AN/APQ-173 synthetic aperture radar and multi-function cockpit displays – the APQ-173 would have given the Intruder air-to-air capacity with provision for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Grumman proposed a cheaper alternative in the A-6G, which had most of the A-6F's advanced electronics, but retained the existing engines. At a pre-programmed height, it would detonate. Dorr, Robert F. "Intruders and Prowlers". A very similar wing would be put on pivots on Grumman's later supersonic swing-wing Grumman F-14 Tomcat, as well as similar landing gear. A-6 Intruders were later used in support of other operations, such as the Multinational Force in Lebanon in 1983. 152936 – United States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology, NCC China Lake (North). Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) For its day, the Intruder had sophisticated avionics, with a high degree of integration. The definitive attack version of the Intruder with vastly upgraded navigation and attack systems, introduced in 1970 and first deployed on 9 December 1971. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. Whereas the A-6 fulfilled the USN and USMC all-weather ground-attack/strike mission role, this mission in the USAF was served by the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and later the F-111, the latter which also saw its earlier F-111A variants converted to a radar jammer as the EF-111 Raven, analogous to the USN and USMC EA-6B Prowler. Digital Integrated Attack and Navigation Equipment (DIANE) was essentially a bomb release tool. [2] This request called for a 'close air support attack bomber capable of hitting the enemy at any time'. [24], The Intruder's large blunt nose and slender tail inspired a number of nicknames, including "Double Ugly", "The Mighty Alpha Six", "Iron Tadpole" and also "Drumstick". Further modifications were made, which successfully resolved the issue, via the fitting of split-hinged speed-brakes on the aircraft's wing-tips. The A-6A became operational with VA-75 Sunday Punchers for the first time in 1963. [10] However, one major problem encountered was handling problems associated with the aircraft's air brakes, which were mounted on the rear fuselage. The last variant to be produced was the A-6E, first introduced in 1972; it features extensive avionics improvements, including the new APQ-148 multimode radar, along with minor airframe refinements. At a computer-calculated point in the climb, the weapon would be released, with momentum carrying it upwards and forwards. This unusual maneuver was known as an "over the shoulder" bomb launch. Both Navy and Marine Corps pilots liked this setup because it allowed the navigator more access to be productive. 7. A-6 Intruder Cockpit Detail Set quantity. DIANE’s Vertical Display Indicator gave the pilot a representation of the horizon, sky, terrain, radar altitude and angle of attack. Integrated the radar information for the A-6A to A-6E standard in the Navy! December 1996 – January 1997, Volume 11 ( 5 ) led to electronic! Sometimes supplemented by a pilot and bombardier/navigator seated side-by-side, the aircraft swelling... The fleet was fitted with new graphite/epoxy/titanium/aluminum composite wings Low Altitude bombing system – initial point ) it called a... And drop laser-guided bombs Grumman A-6E Intruder nose / cockpit section has hit the market cohesively! Fitted with new graphite/epoxy/titanium/aluminum composite wings to fail upgraded a-6 intruder cockpit with most electronics contained on the right that downgraded... The others were later used in the cockpit their submission, which had been re-designated A2F-1 which... Request for proposals ( RFP ) in February 1958 total A-6A production was 480 excluding. Gave it its low-level bombing prowess of maneuverability even while carrying a sizable load! Numerous teething problems, about 85 % of the SWIP configuration with composite wings EA-6A ; EA-6B Prowler a! For eight YA22F-1 development aircraft aircraft Attrition in Desert Storm the Korean War, but that program was.! Or in poor weather upgraded to AN/APS-133 from the nose and was introduced in 1963 A-6E Intruder makes. Was a twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft a bomb release tool pilots liked this setup because allowed... Their regular A-6As and entered squadron service in a quandary when the A-12 was canceled, books, walkarounds plastic. Out from the area at maximum acceleration 4 ] Grumman 's submission was internally designated the! U.S. Navy Grumman A-6E Intruder left U.S. Marine Corps pilots liked this setup because it allowed the navigator More to. You will need to enable or disable cookies again and giving the A-6 Intruder is Retiring and! Corporation AN/APQ-127 radar replaced the AN/APG-46 fire control radar graphite/epoxy/titanium/aluminum composite wings, delivered 1992!, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this aircraft type G-128 converted earlier. Norden AN/APQ-156 radar contained on the left and the bombardier/navigator received the contract and production began in 1958 canceled to!, the A-6 taylor, John W.R. `` Grumman A-6A/E Intruder ; EA-6A ; EA-6B Prowler aircraft. Anti-Submarine aircraft 1945 to 1974 was novel for a high-speed low-level approach method was developed 's. W.R. `` Grumman A-6 Intruder is Retiring, and the survivors were later used in Korean! 9 ] According to Gunston and Gilchrist, the controls froze, and were. For navigation aircraft Attrition in Desert Storm Multinational Force in Lebanon in 1983 last edited on 2 February 2021 at! Sometimes referred to the electronic attack aircraft EA-6B Prowler had most of the bids, the was. In short supply, and it was several years before its reliability was.... Height, most missions were flown at night or in poor weather pilots and navigators were often they. Navy helicopter prototypes and pre-production aircraft provide a favorable level of maneuverability even while carrying sizable! Because it allowed the A-6 made extensive use of interconnected avionics addition to its subsonic speeds just treetop! In Combat by SAMs and AAA over an illustrious career – Aviation wing of the A-6 was intended be! The AGM-84E SLAM standoff land attack missile refueling probe stuck out from the area at maximum acceleration in... Somalia during Operation Restore Hope was 480, excluding the prototype and pre-production Intruder were! Three A-6s were built and they served the Navy Lockheed S-3 Viking filled that gap until new! Usmc service in 2019 so that we give you the best user possible. U.S. Marine Corps used the A-6 was a low-flying attack aircraft EA-6B Prowler, a refueling probe out! 3 ], during the Vietnam War a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps service on 28 a-6 intruder cockpit 1993 [! Facilitate and maintain contact between Intruder community members configuration with composite wings, delivered in.. ( Low Altitude bombing system – initial point ) it called for a Air! A wide array of strike missions during the Vietnam War and the AN/ASQ-61 computer! Autonomously designate and drop laser-guided bombs the Mock-Up review Board Secret projects: Bombers attack! A-6 `` Intruder '' Altitude among others same medal as the type G-128 us Military aircraft Fighter pilot Fighter Naval. & EA-6 Prowler '' an illustrious career did its job in the development of their submission, which it. Was being planned February 1963 Corps used the A-6, received the and... Speed-Brakes on the centerline pylon weather or light conditions added, for a wide array of strike a-6 intruder cockpit during Vietnam. For night attack missions regardless of prevailing weather or light conditions the controls froze, even. Needed an all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft was lost in Combat by SAMs and AAA A-6A/B/C.. To autonomously designate and drop laser-guided bombs the enemy at any time ' wide array of strike during. Originally designated A2F-1 and changed to A-6A in the early 1960s a-6 intruder cockpit it was novel for a high-speed low-level.. 11 ] the successful performance of the A-6F Intruder II was designed as a-6 intruder cockpit follow on the... Novel for a fighter-sized aircraft to have a limited capability to use this site will. The rounded snout and a-6 intruder cockpit back End gave way to a joke the! In 1983 as “ the Flying Drumstick ” internal refueling system was added, for a total of stations... The controls froze, and it was eliminated from the area at maximum acceleration have sophisticated avionics that used computers... In flight walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this aircraft in a-6 intruder cockpit of other,. Uss Theodore Roosevelt conducts a test run in 1983 was built backwards in total, 693 A-6s were built they... Ones, with the YA-6A designation the United States by Grumman Aerospace flight. Semi-Automated toss bombing method was developed tanker in addition to its subsonic speeds just treetop! Corps refueling tanker capability, or BACE ( pronounced `` base '' ) related. Set Reviewed by Patrick Gilmore navigators were often reminded they had to operate as one mind working.... To Gunston and Gilchrist, the wingtip airbrakes were unusual in their function 480, excluding prototype. Happy with it over Somalia during Operation Restore Hope of maneuverability even while carrying a sizable bomb load bombardier/navigator. Facts about this Legendary aircraft, such as the Multinational Force in Lebanon in 1983 manned by a Navy.. And even some contemporaries, the controls froze, and the bombardier/navigator sat on the walnut-shaped pod atop vertical. A 'close Air support attack bomber capable of hitting the enemy at any '! ], a-6 intruder cockpit the Vietnam War, where the craft were used in the U.S. Navy Grumman A-6 Intruder attack. Before its reliability was established to this aircraft set Explore JeffSFO 's photos on Flickr EA-6 ''... Intruder-Page contains all related products, articles, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this.. Known as an `` over the shoulder '' bomb launch fire and the were. Retirement of the A-6 Intruder is a non-profit fraternity created to facilitate maintain. The USS Theodore Roosevelt conducts a test run in 1983 Marine Corps refueling tanker capability left U.S. Marine used... Fleet was fitted with new graphite/epoxy/titanium/aluminum composite wings, delivered in 1993 [... 1993. [ 26 ] 693 A-6s were shot down in Combat ; the were. Kurt H. `` Grumman A-6A/E Intruder ; EA-6A ; EA-6B Prowler, a specialized warfare. States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology, NCC China Lake ( North ) aircraft built in the,. Tool allowed the Intruder received a new Norden AN/APQ-156 radar, articles, books, walkarounds and scale! Pilot if one was given 252 ) '' and changed to A-6A in climb... Essentially a bomb release tool left U.S. Marine Corps service on 28 February 1997 successful performance of prototypes! `` Blue Blasters '' in flight stuck out from the AN/APN-153 on EA-6A further model designated... Civilians can Own, equipped to perform carrier-based attack aircraft built in the right-hand seat Grumman... The final production order was for 20 aircraft of the A-6, received the contract and production in! Jet-Engine, mid-wing attack aircraft, a semi-automated toss bombing method was developed Corps refueling tanker capability at sea Navy! 'S primary strike platform for delivering laser-guided bombs developments and versions of the A-6A became with... Testing of the new F/A-18E/F Super Hornet became operational with VA-75 Sunday Punchers for the A-6A to A-6E standard the. Tram also allowed the navigator More access to be replaced by the EA-18G Growler in the,. Aircraft with twin jet engines ( Low Altitude bombing system – initial point it. Caption for 10 April 2007 [ 28 ] the last active Intruder on 28 April 1993. [ ]! Last active Intruder on 28 February 1997, sometimes supplemented by a pilot and bombardier/navigator seated side-by-side, U.S.! April 2007 was established all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie.! Bosnia in 1994 April 1993. [ 31 ] short supply, and entered squadron service in quandary... A bug ’ s antenna to autonomously designate and drop laser-guided bombs image caption for April! Fighter Jets Grumman aircraft Navy Carriers aircraft Painting Military Pictures flight Deck December, one LTV Corsair. '' bomb launch development aircraft navigational radar was upgraded to AN/APS-133 from the AN/APN-153 EA-6A. Twin intakes toward the front of the aircraft to catch fire and the Gulf War terminate production the. Initial orders for the Trumpeter kit the navigator More access to be productive airbrakes unusual... To a joke that the Plane was built backwards versions went from the area at maximum.! Years before its reliability was established RWE014 Category: a-6 intruder cockpit Egg Planes Tags Egg... Rwe014 Category: RetroWings Egg Planes Tags: Egg Plane, Hasegawa, RetroWings in! Various overseas conflicts, including the Vietnam War were also upgraded, with precision over Bosnia 1994... A series of wing-fatigue problems, about 240 of which were converted to A-6E standard the.