LTV A-7 Corsair II

History of the LTV A-7 Corsair II

The successor to the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk family of carrier-based strike fighters, the LTV A-7 Corsair II entered service in 1967 during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Approximately 1,569 samples were eventually shipped to production operations in the United States, Greece (Hellenic), Portugal and Thailand.

The last operational version was only decommissioned in 2014 (along with the Greek Air Force), while U.S. use ended after the 1993 Gulf War.

The origins of the A-7 can be traced back to a 1962 U.S. Navy program that spawned the VAX ("Heavier than Air, Assault, Experiment") program, a search for aging A-4 platforms subsequent design. A cost-conscious approach was taken, using the existing airframe as the basis for the new aircraft. This will also speed up the development and eventual mass production of the fighter. Major industry giants such as Douglas, Grumman, North America and Vought (part of Ling-Temco-Vought = LTV) submitted a variety of entries, each with potential.

Vought's submission was based in particular on their successful F-8 Crusader carrier-based attack aircraft, which became a staunch contribution to the U.S. Navy in the 1960s.

The fuselage was slightly modified to accommodate the shortened fuselage, but retained the high swept wings (albeit with a longer span), tricycle landing gear, and air intakes under the cockpit. The F-8's rotary-wing adjustable main aircraft was abandoned for a new design that simplifies production and maintenance/operations.

After an evaluation of all competition types, Vought's submission was selected in February 1964 and awarded the US Navy "A-7" designation "Corsair II" - in honor of the successful Vought F4U "Corsair" during World War II Carrier - Based, prop-driven product.

Development of the A-7 platform progressed relatively quickly, and in March 1964 the U.S. Navy ordered three YA-7A development models. The first flight was recorded on September 26, 1965, and the engine of choice was a Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-6 turbofan with 11,350 pounds of thrust.

Its non-afterburner engine reduces fuel consumption, which increases operating range, but limits speed to the subsonic range. The original design also featured an all-important nose-mounted radar via the AN/APQ-116 series system and a heads-up display (HUD) in the cockpit, making it the first aircraft to feature this useful, now American aircraft that became standard technology.

Equipped. Ejection seats improve pilot survivability, and advanced digital weapon suits are available for precise bomb-dropping platforms compared to contemporaries.

The main wing aircraft are articulated beyond the hardpoints to improve the carrier's bearings, and the tricycle landing gear is designed to take into account the rigors of carrier operation. Six underwing hardpoints (three per wing) and two fuselage side stations are also in use - primarily for carrying the AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile (AAM).

The theoretical total storage capacity is 15,000 pounds and consists of conventionally dropped bombs, guided missiles, and homing/guided missiles. Initially 2 x 20mm Colt MK 12 guns were installed for close range operations, firing 250 rounds per installation.

A later brand introduced a single 20mm revolving cannon that could carry 1,030 rounds.

After testing, the YA-7A reached its first production version, the "A-7A", and was accepted into service with the United States Navy by VA-147 Squadron in 1966. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was achieved in 1967.

The A-7 came at a time when the U.S. military was firmly committed to operating in and around Vietnam. So Corsair II's baptism of fire was quickly seen as the planes were shipped to war zones in large numbers.

Its first operations took place in December 1967 and began the long and storied life of a Vought product.

A total of 199 prototypes of the A-7A were produced, equipped with the same engines as the development YA-7A. Successor production model became the A-7B, which was fitted with the TF-30-P-8 12,190 lb thrust engine, later modernized with the TF30-P-408 13,390 lb thrust engine, and maintained the original AN/APQ-115 terrain - Tracking radar (found on the A model) replaced by the AN/APQ-116 series.

The total output of Model B reached 196 units.

67 prototypes of the A-7C model were followed by TF30 P-408 engines with 13,400 lbs of thrust. They were eventually introduced with the avionics/weapon suite of the upcoming A-7E model.

The TA-7C is a form of trainer aircraft with a two-seat cockpit for students and instructors, forged from 24 prototypes of existing A-7Bs and a total of 36 A-7C prototypes.

The United States Air Force (USAF) recognized the value of the A-7 as a combat platform and ordered its own batch of Voughts as A-7Ds. These were fitted with a licensed Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan (as the local Allison TF41-A-1) and were arranged to swap the 2 x 20mm stock for a simplified 1 x 20mm M61" Vulcan "inner gun" Gatling style.

They carry the AN/APN-185 Navigation Radar and the AN/APG-126 Terrain Tracking Radar. Pave Penny laser trackers and motorized flaps are also part of the product.

Serial production became an impressive example, with 459 built, many of which were transferred to Air National Guard (ANG) units and debuted over Vietnam in 1972.

The U.S. Navy followed the example of the U.S. Air Force and adopted the A-7D variant as the A-7E, with modifications for carrier-based operations. The navigation radar became the AN/APN-190 kit, and the terrain tracking radar became the AN/APQ-128 series. Its engine is an Allison TF41-A-2 with 15,000 lbs of thrust and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) is standard.

The service produced an even more impressive 529 units.

Several other less prominent markers appeared. The YA-7F "Strikefighter" - also known as the A-7D "Plus" - is a proposed upgrade that includes a Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan engine (with McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagle" and General Dynamics F-16" "Fighting Falcon" product), which would give the line supersonic capabilities. Its body is stretched for more interior space.

Only two prototypes were realized from the program before it was finally abandoned.

The A-7G was a proposed manufacture for export to Switzerland, although it was not realized before the end. 60 of the A-7Hs were exported to Greece and didn't have the aerial refueling capability like their American brethren. Its two-seat trainer model is the TA-7H.

The EA-7L, a two-seat "electronic aggressor" platform in service with the VAQ-34 squadron, was withdrawn from the TA-7C inventory as eight examples. These were later upgraded to the A-7E standard. The A-7K is a 30-airframe that the ANG uses as a trainer. Portugal received approximately 44 ex-US Navy A-7A models equipped with TF30-P-408 series engines and A-7E avionics.

The TA-7P ??trainer form followed, taken from the USN A-7A inventory, with a total of 6 samples. The YA-7E and YA-7H were two private ventures offered by LTV, but later became zero.

As a combat platform, the A-7 series lived up to its expectations. Of the nearly 13,000 sorties the plane flew over Vietnam, only six were deemed lost throughout the war. It proved to be one of the most accurate bombing platforms during the conflict.

The line received additional combat service during the Grenada invasion (1983) and operations in Lebanon that same year. In 1986, the aircraft was used against Libyans attacking surface-to-air missile (SAM) positions. The aircraft was subsequently used in the 1991 Gulf War, where its precision strike capability was successfully employed. During the competition, the aircraft also successfully flew as a modified aerial tanker.

Part of his final U.S. military service was training in the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter program, and his subsonic performance rivaled the next-generation radar-evading bomber.

The last A-7 in US service was retired in 1993, the Portuguese Air Force abandoned the type in 1999, followed by the Greek Air Force in 2014. The Thai A-7 is in "non-combat" status and presumptive official retirement, ending the life of this boutique aircraft.

Many have survived as well-preserved museum exhibits.

Specification

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