Grumman A-6 Intruder

The Grumman A-6 Intruder is a Avion of attack on the American ground embarked on board Porte-avions, brought into service in the years 1960. Largely used during the War of Vietnam, it was able to carry a heavy load at a long distance, and to strike with precision of day like night, some are the conditions weather.

History

Intruder is resulting from an invitation to tender emitted in February 1957 by the American marine for a plane of attack all-time two-seater, able to reach 925 km/h, with an operating range of at least 480 km. Neither the number nor the type of engines (Turbopropeller/Turbojet) being imposed, Grumman studied various solutions before slicing for a twin-jet aircraft with sweptback wings, without Post-combustion, equipped with a unit of electronic systems integrated (radars, power station of inertial navigation, trip computers, etc) baptized DIANE (acronym of " D igital I ntegrated has ttack NR avigation E quipment").

This proposal gained the invitation to tender and the first prototype made its inaugural flight on April 19th, 1960. The development of the DIANE system was long and difficult, involving a delay of more than one year on the project. The trial flights also showed that the air-brakes assembled on the side of the fuselage posed problems of stability when they were deployed and, after several attempts of solutions, it was finally decided to assemble new air-brakes at the end of the wings. After to be maintained a certain time, the side air-brakes were removed on the new planes and were made inoperative on those already produced. Lastly, the directional conduits intended to shorten the takeoff distance were abandoned, because not very effective.

Intruder entered in operational service at the end of 1963 the US Navy, and in 1964 in the US Marine Body. It was massively used during War of Vietnam, during which 62 apparatuses were lost of which 51 fights some, and also took part in the first war of the Gulf. Approximately 800 specimens was built in two principal versions (the initial version A-6A, and version A-6E with an improved electronics). Specialized versions also were born, of which the KA-6D intended for the in-flight refueling and four-seater EA-6B electronic Prowler of war. The specimens of version A-6E underwent several modifications during their career, of which several improvements of the electronics of edge and the replacement of the wings to the beginning of the year 1990, following problems of tiredness of structure. Intruder started to be gradually withdrawn of the service to the beginning of the year 1990 and, as from 1997, only EA-6B Prowler were still used.

Engagements

War of Vietnam
War of Kuwait (1990-1991)

Versions

A-6A - initial Version (482 specimens)
EA-6A - electronic Version of war (21 built + 6 converted A-6A)
EA-6B - four-seater Version of electronic war (170 built)
A-6B - specialized Version of attack anti-radars (19 converted A-6A)
A-6C - Version with capacity improved nocture (12 converted A-6A)
KA-6D - Version supply (78 converted A-6A)
A-6E - improved Electronics (120 built, 240 converted A-6A)

External bonds

the card of A-6 on the FAQ of fr.rec.aviation
detailed History of A-6 on the site of Joseph F. Baugher

See too

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