MY FAVORITE MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Page 2

The new Harrier had an improved engine, stronger wings, higher cockpit, and could handle a greater payload. The avionics were improved by adding electronic countermeasure and advanced bombing systems.

The Harriers one of a kind short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities make it one of the most versatile aircraft in the US arsenal. The ability to operate from both small ships and remote forward bases were proven during action in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. With a new radar system in place, it increased the pilot's ability to perform air-to-surface and air-to-air missions in darkness and adverse weather conditions.

The Harrier is also being used by the British Royal Air Force and the Spanish Navy.

• Classification: Fighter/Attack
• Missions: Air to Air; Ground attack; Close air support; Anti-armor
• First flight: November 9, 1978 (original YAV-8B model)
• Engine: One 21,750 lb thrust Rolls Royce F402-406 vectored thrust turbofan
• Performance: Maximum speed (seal level): 647 mph * Operations radius: 400 miles
• Weight: Empty=13,086 lbs * Maximum (vertical take-off)=18,950 * Maximum (normal take-off)=31,000 lbs
• Dimensions: Wing span: 30' 4" * Length: 46' 4" * Height: 11' 8"
• Weapons: 25 mm cannon; air to surface missiles; 500 lb bombs; air to air missiles; cluster bombs
• Crew: One pilot

The A-10 is known worldwide for its tank-busting capabilities. The A-10's main weapon, the GAU-8/A Avenger 30 mm cannon can shoot both armor-piercing (for tanks) and high explosive (for trucks and buildings) rounds. Each round weighs about 2 lbs.

721 A-10's were built and the last one was delivered to the US Air Force on March 20, 1984. The planes were very popular with NATO forces during the Cold War, when Warsaw Pact nations promised to send "rivers of armored vehicles" against the West's allies.

The A-10 is capable of a short-range takeoff and can get airborne from a 3,000 foot runway or even super highway. The A-10 Thunderbolt is also well-known for its close air support.

• Classification: Close Air Support
• Missions: Ground attack; Anti-Armor Attack; Close air support
• First flight: May 10, 1972 (original YA-10A model)
• Engine: Two 9,065 lb thrust GE TF34-100 high bypass turbofans
• Performance: Maximum speed (sea level)=439 mph * Cruise speed=345 mph * Combat radius=250 miles (includes 9,500 lbs of ordinance and a 1.8 hr loiter time)
• Weight: Empty: 24,959 lbs * Maximum: 50,000 lbs
• Dimensions: Wing span: 57' 6" * Length: 53' 4" * Height: 14' 8"
• Weapons: 30 mm seven barrel internal cannon; laser guided bombs; cluster bombs; air to surface missiles; general purpose bombs
• Crew: One pilot

GRUMMAN A-6E INTRUDER

The A-6 Intruder was designed for the US Navy in the late 1950's. It was an all-weather, night attack aircraft. The Intruder entered Navy service in 1963. It was used extensively in Vietnam as an attack aircraft. The A-6 played a major role in the war, operating from carrier decks in bad weather that would have grounded most other aircraft.

The first model of the A-6 was the A-6A which was produced between 1960 and 1969. The A-6E model followed. The A-6E had improved avionics for better strike capabilities. It included the TRAM (Target Recognition Attack Multi-Sensor) turret under the nose radome. The TRAM had a FLIR (Forward Looking infrared-Red) and laser detection gear. This enabled accurate weapon delivery in all weather conditions.

There were other models of the A-6. They included the A-6B, the A-6C, and the KA-6D. The specialized EA-6A/B is used for electronic countermeasures (ECM). The A-6B is used to suppress enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites. The A-6C possesses improved night attack capabilities. The KA-6D is used for an in flight-refueling tanker.

The A-6 Intruder was the subject of the movie "Flight of the Intruder".

• Classification: Attack; Electronic warfare; Tanker
• Missions: Anti-ship; Ground Attack; Electronic suppression; Refueling
• First flight: April 19, 1960 (original YA2F-1 model)
• Engine: Two 9,300 lb thrust Pratt and Whitney J52-P-8A turbojets
• Performance: Maximum speed (sea level): 648 mph * Maximum range: 878 miles (with full combat load)
• Weight: Empty=26.756 lbs * Maximum=58,600 lbs
• Dimensions: Wing span: 53' * Length: 54' 9" * Height: 16' 2"
• Weapons: 500 lb bombs; sea mines; air-to-air missiles; anti-ship missiles; anti-radar missiles; nuclear weapons
• Crew: One pilot and one weapon systems operator

The US Air Force developed two variations of the A-7 for use in attack and close-air-support: the A-7D and the A-7K. The Air Force placed the A-7D into service in 1969. The A-7K was a two seat version of this plane.

LTV Aerospace and Defense built more than 1,500 A-7's. They were mainly built for use as an attack plane for the US Navy.

The A-7's flew more than 90,000 combat missions in Southeast Asia. In addition, the A-7 saw combat in Grenada, and was involved in combat sorties against Libya in 1987 and Iraq in 1991.

• Classification: Fighter/Attack
• Missions: Air-to-Air; Ground attack; Close air support; Anti-ship attack
• First flight: September 27, 1965 (original A-7A model)
• Engine: One 15,000 lb thrust Allison TF41-A-2 turbofan
• Performance: Maximum speed (sea level): 646 mph * Combat radius: 2,280 miles (ferry range)
• Weight: Empty=19,127 lbs * Maximum=42,000 lbs
• Dimensions: Wing span: 38' 9" * Length: 46' 2" * Height: 16' 1"
• Weapons: 20 mm internal cannon; air-to-air and anti-ship missiles; air-to-surface missiles; various bombs; nuclear weapons; rockets
• Crew: One pilot

The F-4 Phantom was originally designed as a carrier-based fighter/attack aircraft for the US Navy. Since its first flight in 1958 it's defense role was expanded to include air superiority missions, ground attack, interdiction, suppression of surface-to-air missile sites, reconnaissance and training. It has been flown by all branches of the service, air forces of 11 other nations, and at one time, by both the US Navy Blue Angels and the US Air Force Thunderbirds.

The US Navy placed the Phantom into operations service in 1962. They flew several models including the F-4A, the F-4B, and the F-4J. The navy has used the Phantom for almost 30 years.

The US Marines placed the Phantom into operations shortly after its introduction in 1962. They have flown the F-4B, the F-4J, the F-4N, and the F-4S. The main role of the Phantom was to provide close air support for the Marine ground troops.

In the early 1960's the US Air Force designed it's own version of the Phantom. This was to meet the air-to-air and air-to-ground needs. The result was the F-4C Phantom which was similar to the Navy F-4B. In 1965 the US Air Force released the F-4D. The F-4D had advanced avionics and a fire control computer the improved the air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities of the Phantom. In 1967 the Air Force introduced the F-4E, a longer and heavier model. This became the most heavily produced model and was exported to friendly countries.

The specialized RF-4C and RF-4E were introduced and designed specifically for reconnaissance. The F-4G Wild Weasel, another specialized model, was used by the Air Force to seek and destroy enemy radar.

The Phantom saw a lot of action during and after Vietnam since it was used by three of the four US military services. Many of the Phantoms are now retired. However, some models are still being used by the Air National Guard and Reserves. A total of 5,057 F-4's were built by McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis.

• Classification: Fighter/Attack
• Missions: Air-to-Air; Ground Attack; Close Air Support; Anti-Radar; Reconnaissance
• First flight: May 27, 1958 (original F-4H-1)
• Engine: Two 17,000 lb thrust General Electric GE79-17 after burning turbofans
• Performance: Maximum speed (high altitude): Mach 2.2 * Maximum speed (low altitude): Mach 1.9 * Combat Radius: 423 miles
• Weight: Empty=31,000 lbs * Maximum=61,795 lbs
• Dimensions: Wing span: 38' 5" * Length: 63' * Height: 16' 5"
• Weapons: 20 mm internal or external mounted cannon; radar guided and infrared-red air-to-air missiles; 500 lb bombs; anti-radiation missiles
• Crew: One pilot and one weapons system operator

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