| Aircraft | A-6E "Intruder" |
| Type | bomber |
| Propulsion | Two Pratt and Whitney J52-PP8C engines (8,300 lbs. thrust) |
| Wingspan | 53 ft. |
| Length | 54 ft. 9 in. |
| Height | 16 ft. 2 in. |
| Speed | 568 knots (648mph) |
| Ceiling | 45,600 ft. |
| Weight | Take-off maximum 60,400 lbs.Take-off maxiumum gross (carrier): 58,600 lbs. Empty: 27,747 lbs. |
| Range | With full combat load, 1,077 miles; with external fuel tanks, 2,823 miles |
| Armament | Five locations each rated
at 3,600 lbs. carrying any combination of
10 2.75" Rocket Pod 10 5" Zuni Rocket Pod Mk-20 Rockeye Mk-77 Napalm 28 Mk-81 (250 lbs) 28 Mk-82 Snakeye 13 Mk-83 (1,000 lbs) 5 Mk-84 (2,000 lbs) 20 Mk-117 (750 lbs) GBU-10E Laser Guided Bomb GBU-12D Laser Guided Bomb GBU-16B Laser Guided Bomb AGM-123A Skipper II AGM-45 Shrike AGM-62 Walleyes AIM-9 Sidewinders System Weapon Improvement Program, SWIP
|
| Crew | 2 |
| Unit Cost | $22 million (US) |
The A-6E was an all-weather, two seat, subsonic, carrier-based attack aircraft. It was equipped with a microminiaturized digital computer, a solid state weapons release system, and a single, integrated track and search radar. The target recognition/attack multi-sensor (TRAM) version of the A-6E was introduced to the fleet in 1979. It was equipped with a chin turret containing a forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) system and a laser designator and receiver.
The A-6E proved once again that it was the best all-weather precision
bomber in the world in the joint strike on Libyan terrorist-related targets
in 1986. With Air Force FB-111s, A-6E Intruders penetrated the sophisticated
Libyan air defense systems, which had been alerted by the high level of
diplomatic tension and by rumors of impending attacks. Evading over 100
guided missiles, the strike force flew at low levels in complete darkness,
and accurately delivered laser-guided and other ordnance on target. Composite
wing replacement and systems/weapons improvement programs maintained full
A-6E combat systems capability, with initial operational capability realized
in FY 88 with VA-75 deployment onboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).
The 19 December 1996 launch of an A-6E Intruder from the aircraft carrier
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) marked the last Intruder squadron to fly from the
deck of an aircraft carrier. The Intruder Attack Squadron 75 of Carrier
Air Wing 7, known as the Sunday Punchers, was decommissioned in early 1997.