Grumman A-6 Intruder

The Grumman A-6 Intruder is an American twinjet all-weather attack aircraft developed for the U.S Navy.

Variants

YA2F-1

Pre-production aircraft, eight built with the first four with rotating jet exhaust pipes, redesignated YA-6A in 1962.

A2F-1

First production variant with fixed tailpipe, 484 built, redesignated A-6A in 1962.

YA2F-1H

Prototype electronic warfare variant, one modified from A2F-1, redesignated YEA-6A in 1962.

A2F-1H

Electronic warfare variant of the A2F-1 redesignated EA-6A in 1962

YA-6A

Pre-production aircraft redesignated from YA2F-1 in 1962.

A-6A

First production variant redesignated from A2F-1 in 1962.

YEA-6A

One YA2F-1 electronic warfare variant prototype redesignated in 1962.

EA-6A

Electronic warfare variant redesignated from A2F-1H, had a redesigned fin and rudder and addition of an ECM radome, able to carry under wing ECM pods.

NA-6A

The redesignation of three YA-6As and three A-6As.

The six aircraft were modified for special tests.

NEA-6A

One EA-6A aircraft was modified for special test purposes.

TA-6A

Proposed trainer variant with three-seat, not built.

A-6B

Variant fitted with avionics for the suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD).

Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler

Electronic warfare variant of the A-6A with longer fuselage for four crew.

YEA-6B

The designation of two EA-6B prototypes, which were modified for special test purposes.

A-6C

A-6A conversion for low-level attack role with electro-optical sensors.

KA-6D

A-6A conversion for flight-refuelling.

A-6E

A-6A with improved electronics.

A-6F Intruder II

Advanced version with updated electronics and General Electric F404 turbofans.

A-6G

Proposed cheaper alternative to the A-6F, with its advanced electronics, but existing J52 turbojets.

G-128-12

Unbuilt single-seat A-6 based design proposal for the VA(L) competition for A-4 Skyhawk replacement based on existing design.

Contract ultimately awarded to the LTV A-7 Corsair II.

Specifications

Crew

2

Length

54 ft 9 in (16.69 m)

Wingspan

53 ft 0 in (16.15 m)

Width

25 ft 2 in (7.67 m) wing folded

Height

16 ft 2 in (4.93 m)

Wing area

528.9 sq ft (49.14 m2)

Aspect ratio

5.31:1

Empty weight

26,660 lb (12,093 kg)

Max take-off weight

60,400 lb (27,397 kg)

Fuel capacity

2,385 US gal (1,986 imp gal; 9,030 L) (internal fuel)

Zero-lift drag coefficient

0.0144

Powerplant

2 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P8B turbojets, 9,300 lbf (41 kN) thrust each

Performance

Maximum speed

560 kn (640 mph, 1,040 km/h) at sea level

Cruise speed

412 kn (474 mph, 763 km/h)

Stall speed

98 kn (113 mph, 181 km/h) (flaps down)

Maximum exceed speed

700 kn (810 mph, 1,300 km/h)

Combat range

878 nmi (1,010 mi, 1,626 km) (with max payload)

Ferry range

2,818 nmi (3,243 mi, 5,219 km)

Service ceiling

42,400 ft (12,900 m)

G limits

-2.4 to 6.5

Rate of climb

7,620 ft/min (38.7 m/s)

Lift-to-drag: 15.2

Take-off run to 50 ft (15 m)

4,530 ft (1,380 m)

Landing run from 50 ft (15 m)

2,540 ft (770 m)

Armament

Hardpoints

Five hard points with a capacity of 3,600 lb (1,600 kg) each

(4 under wings, 1 under fuselage),

18,000 lb (8,200 kg) total, with provisions to carry combinations of

Rockets

12x LAU-10 4-round 5 inch Zuni pods

12x LAU-68 7-round 2.75 inch FFAR pods

12x LAU-61/LAU-68 19-round 2.75 inch FFAR pods

Missiles

AGM-45 Shrike anti-radar missile × 2

AGM-78 Standard ARM anti-radar missile × 2

AGM-62 Walleye TV-guided glide bomb

AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile × 6

AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile / AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile

AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile

AGM-123 Skipper air-to-ground missile

AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile

ADM-141 TALD decoy missiles

Bombs

28× Mk 82 500 lb (227 kg) GP bombs or Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster bomb

13× Mk 83 1,000 lb (454 kg) GP bombs

5× Mk 84 2,000 lb (907 kg) GP bombs

5x GBU-12/16/10 laser-guided bombs

5x CBU-72 Fuel-Air Explosives

Up to three B43, B57 or B61 nuclear weapons

Other

Mk 60 Captor Mine

Up to 5 300 US gal (250 imp gal; 1,100 L) drop tanks

Various practice stores, chaff launchers, baggage pods, flares.