Grumman А-б Intruder and Prowler

Grumman A-6A, B,C, E, EA-6Aand В and KA-6D

Origin: Grumman Aerospace, USA,

Type:(A-6A, В, С, E) two-seat carrier-based all-weather attack: (EA-6A) two-seat ECM/attack; (EA-6B) four-seat ECM; (KA-6D) two-seat air­refuelling tanker.

Engines: (Except EA-6B) two 9,3001b (4218kg) thrust Pratt £t Whitney J52-8A two-shaft turbojets: (EA-6B) two 11,2001b (5080kg) J52-408. Dimensions: Span 53ft (16-15m): length (except EA-6B) 54ft 7in (16 64m); (EA-6B) 59ft 5in (1811m): height (A-6A, A-6C, KA-6D) 15ft 7in (4-75m): (A-6E, EA-6A and B) 16ft 3in (4-95m).

Weights: Empty (A-6A) 25.684lb (11,650kg): (EA-6A) 27,769lb

(12,596kg): (EA-6B) 34,5811b (15,686kg): (A-6E) 25.630lb (11,625kg): maximum loaded (A-6A and E) 60.626lb (27,500kg): (EA-6A) 56,500lb (25.628kg): (EA-6B) 58,500lb (26,535kg),

Performance:Maximum speed (clean A-6A) 685mph (1102km/h) at sea level or 625mph (1006km/h, Mach 0-94) at height: (EA-6A) over 630mph, (EA-6B) 599mph at sea level: (A-6E) 648mph (1043km/h) at sea level: initial climb (A-6E. clean) 8,600ft (2621 m)/min: service ceiling (A-6A) 41,660ft (12,700m): (A-6E) 44,600ft (13,595m): (EA-6B) 39,000ft (11,582m): range with full combat load (A-6E) 1,077 miles (1733km), ferry range with external fuel (all) about 3,100 miles (4890km). Armament: All attack versions, including EA-6A, five stores locations each rated at 3,6001b (1633kg) with maximum total load of 15,0001b (6804kg): typical load thirty 5001b (227kg) bombs: (EA-6B, KA-6D) none.

History: First flight (YA2F-1) 19 April I960: service acceptance of A-6A 1 February 1963: first flight (EA-6A) 1963: (KA-6D) 23 May 1966: (EA-6B) 25 May 1 968: (A-6E) 27 February 1 970: final delivery 1975. User: USA (Navy, Marine Corps).

Development: Selected from 11 competing designs in December 1957, the Intruder was specifically planned for first-pass blind attack on point surface targets at night or in any weather. Though area ruled, the aircraft (originally designated A2F) was designed to be subsonic and is powered by two straight turbojets which in the original design were arranged with tilting jetpipes to help give lift for STOL (short takeoff and landing). Despite its considerable gross weight – much more than twice the empty weight and heavier than most of the heavy World War II four-engine brombers—the

Above: Three-view of A-6E, with side views of EA-6A (centre) and EA-6B (bottom).

Intruder has excellent slow-flving qualities with full span slats and flaps. The crew sit side-by-side under a broad sliding canopy giving a marvellous view in all directions, the navigator having control of the extremely compre­hensive navigation, radar and attack systems which are integrated into DIANE (Digital Integrated Attack Navigation Equipment). In Vietnam the A-6A worked round the clock making pinpoint attacks on targets which could not be accurately bombed by any other aircraft until the arrival of the F-111. The A-6E introduced a new multi-mode radar and computer and supplanted earlier versions in Navy and Marine Corps squadrons. The EA-6A introduced a valuable group of ECM (electronic countermeasures), while retaining partial attack capability, but the extraordinary EA-6B is a totally redesigned four-seat aircraft where the entire payload comprises the most advanced and comprehensive ECM equipment ever fitted to a tactical aircraft, part of it being carried in four external pods with windmill generators to supply electric power. The latest addition to attack versions was TRAM (Target Recognition Attack Multisensor), a turreted electro-optical/infra-red system matched with laser-guided weapons. In 1 977 Grumman was building new Prowlers and the last A-6Es, and converting A-6A models to the latest E standard. In the course of 1977 the first Intruders were to be modified to fire the Harpoon active-seeker missile.

Left: An A-6E Intruder of a crack Marine unit, / 3 VMA(AW)-242, popularly called The Bats’.

Below left: Together with a handful of USAF F-111As the Grumman A-6 series were the only tactical aircraft able to operate at night or in bad weather during the tragic war in Vietnam. These A-6As from USS Constellation are seen each laying down a dozen 1,0001b retarded bombs.

Below: A-6A trials aircraft from Naval Ordnance Test Station carrying Condor missile.