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A6 Intruder

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:50:21 +0000

In 1960, the A-6 Intruder attack aircraft made its first flight and by 1963, the EA-6 Intruder went into flight carrier service as a naval attack aircraft. It was the world’s first all-weather attack bomber. The A-6 Intruder had the ability to deliver nuclear and conventional ordnance on target in zero-visibility due to bad weather or darkness. This was primarily due to the cockpit integrated electronic display that made the aircraft ideal for locating and destroying the enemy under almost any circumstances. In 1967, during the Vietnam War, both the Marine Corps and Navy used the A-6 Intruder as an attack bomber. The Intruder played a major role in the bombing of Libya by U.S. forces in 1986.

The A-6 Intruder was capable of flying at low altitudes and for extended distances with a long-range strike capability. Its long-range strike capability made it extremely versatile for a wide range of missions. It could accurately reach and identify a target, then destroy it with a range of weaponry. With five external store stations, it had the ability to carry all NATO and U.S. air-to-ground weapons.

The last version of the A-6 was the A-6E that featured new versions of its advanced radar and computer system. The A-6 continued its impressive record of accurately delivering laser-guided missiles on target in any kind of weather and in daylight or nighttime operations. On December 19, 1996, the A-6E Intruder launched from an aircraft carrier (the USS Enterprise) for the last time. Though it had served its mission well, the F/A-18 Hornet replaced the A-6E Intruder in 1997 and the Intruder was retired from service.

Maximum speed: 647 mph
Cruise speed: 476 mph
Range: 2,380 nautical miles (ferry), 878 nautical miles (maximum military load)
Ceiling: 42,400 feet
Length: 55 feet
Wingspan: 53 feet
Height: 16 feet
Maximum weight: 58,600 pounds
Empty weight: 26,746 pounds
Engine(s): Two Pratt and Whitney J52-P-8B turbojets
Crew: Two seated side by side (pilot and bombardier-navigator)
Armament: Conventional and nuclear air-to-ground weapons in five external store stations. 18,000 pound payload.
Contractor: Grumman Aerospace

If you are a current or former military pilot and would like to submit an article about your experience or a story about the A-6 then please contact us at airplanes.com and we would like to hear from you.

Canadian International Air Show 2007 this September

Editor — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:54:22 +0000

The Canadian International Air Show (CIAS-07) took place on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of September 2007, which was Canada’s Labor Day weekend. The event took place at the Toronto waterfront, over Lake Ontario. On Saturday the 1st the show started at 13:00 pm and it ended on Monday the 3rd at 16:00 pm.

The Canadian Air Show is run solely by volunteers who put in many hours to make the show the success it is. Volunteers for the show arrange transportation, organize hotels, feed guests and take care of the airplanes, among other things.

For the first time the F22 Raptor performed at the Canadian International Air show. It was the first time that an aircraft of this magnitude performed in an air show outside of the United States of America. There was also two F22 Raptors performing in the Canadian International Air Show this year as well.

Other aircrafts and teams at the Canadian International Air Show included the F16 Viper, USAF Heritage Flight, P51 Mustang, CF18 Hornet, Rick Volker, C17 Globemaster, F18F Super Hornet (Rhino), Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Starfighters, Patty Wagstaff, F4U Corsair, US Navy Legacy Flight, John Mohr Barnstorming and the Manfred Radius.

The CF-18 Hornet performed for the 25th time at the Canadian International Air Show this year and was one of the featured performers for the show. The CF-18 Hornet plays an important role in supporting NATO and NORAD in many of their missions as well as being used in the Canadian Air Force as a combat fighter jet. The CF-18 Hornet can reach speeds up to Mach 1.8, which will be displayed at the CIAS. Captain Yanick Gregoire will be the demo pilot for the CF-18.

The 2007 Canadian International Air Show celebrated the United States Air Force and the Canadian Air Force by dedicating a day of the show to each of the Forces. The U.S Air Force celebrated its 60th anniversary with a performance, which included the F-22 Raptor, the USAF Heritage Flight and the F-16 Viper.

The Canadian International Air Show is a must see, so be sure to check it out if you are in Toronto this September. You will be astounded by the aircrafts and the performances that they will give.

World’s Largest Aircraft to Ship NATO Freight – Airplanes

Editor — Mon, 29 May 2006 16:29:37 +0000

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has hired a Russian company to haul oversized freight in the Antonov An-124, a Soviet-era aircraft, and the world’s largest jet. Volga-Dnepr, the plane’s manufacturer, is trying to raise the money needed to restart production of the aircraft which was halted in 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union. At that time, only 56 of the An-124s had been completed.

Conceived as a freighter for the Soviet military, the first An-124 made its maiden flight in 1982. Three years later, it set a world record with a payload of 377,000 pounds while flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet.

NATO’s contract with Volga-Dnepr is temporary and expected only to last until Airbus Military Company begins producing the A400M cargo aircraft. The A400M will probably not be ready for several more years.