The Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk is a lightweight, single engine attack
aircraft. The mission of an A-4 attack squadron is to attack and to
destroy surface targets in support of the landing force commander,
escort helicopters, and conduct other operations as directed.
Developed in the early 1950s, the A-4 Skyhawk was originally designated
the A-4D as a lightweight, daylight only nuclear capable strike aircraft
for use in large numbers from aircraft carriers. There are numerous
models of the A-4 in use. The A-4M and the TA-4F are currently used by
Marine Corps Reserve squadrons.
All models have two internally mounted
20mm (.8 inch) cannons, and are capable of delivering conventional and
nuclear weapons under day and night visual meteorological conditions.
The A-4M uses a heads-up display and computer aided delivery of its bomb
load with the angle rate bombing system. The Marine Reserve has two
squadrons of A-4s with 12 aircraft each. Additionally, each squadron has
two
TA-4 aircraft.
Specifications
|
Summary: |
Cantilever Low Wing
Monoplane, with 33 degree swept back wings
Single seat, high
performance, light attack and ground support
aircraft
Outstanding low speed
control and stability during takeoff and landing
Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in
Length (excluding IFR
Probe): 40 ft 3-1/4 in
Height: 15 ft
Deliveries began in
November 1962
765 A-4 aircraft
worldwide.
Pound for pound, the
A-4 aircraft is one of the most effective and
versatile light attack aircraft produced.
The Skyhawk is 34 years old; yet export models are
still highly regarded and undergoing modern
avionics, weapons, and engine upgrades to
maintain their flying prowess into the next
century.
|
Contractor: |
McDonnell Douglas
|
Power Plant: |
Single, Pratt &
Whitney, J-52-P-408A non-afterburning, turbojet
engine that develops 11,220 pounds of thrust
|
Accommodations: |
One pilot
|
Performance: |
Maximum speed: 586
knots (with a 4,000 pound bomb load)
Initial climb rate:
8,440 ft/min
Maximum ferry range:
2,000 nautical miles
|
Countermeasures: |
Not applicable
|
Armament: |
Mounts two 20 mm guns
internal to the wing structure
Has one fuselage and
four wing racks and carries a variety of external
stores.
May be provisioned
for Sidewinder, Shrike, and Walleye missiles and
1,000 pound bombs.
|
Mission and
Capabilities: |
Maximum takeoff
weight: 24,500 pounds
Six "G"
load maximum
Fuel capacity of both
wing and fuselage internal and three external
tanks: 1,800 U.S. gallons
Typical dry weight:
10,465 pounds
Primary avionics
systems include: UHF-ARC-159, VHF-ARC-114,
RAD/ALT-APN-194, TACAN-ARN-118,
ILS/VOR-ARA-63/ARN-14, CHAFF-ALE-39, IFF-APX-72,
RADAR-APG-53-A, Secure Comm-KY28/58, AN/ALQ-126,
Countermeasures AN/ALQ-162, HUD AN/AVQ-24 and
Navigational Computer AN/ASN-41.
|
External
Dimensions
Wing span |
8.38m |
Wing span over
missiles |
|
Wing chord at
root |
4.72m |
Wing chord at tip |
|
Wing aspect ratio |
|
Width, wings
folded |
|
Length overall |
12.29m |
Height overall |
4.57m |
Tailplane span |
3.45m |
Distance between
fin tips |
|
Wheel track |
2.37m |
Wheelbase |
|
|
Areas
Wings, gross |
24.16m2 |
Ailerons (total) |
|
Leading-edge
flaps (total) |
|
Trailing-edge
flaps (total) |
|
Vert Tail
Services (total) |
4.65m2 |
Horz Tail
Services (total) |
4.54m2 |
Tailerons (total) |
|
|
Weights and Loadings
Weight empty |
4,899kg |
Maximum fuel
weight |
- Internal
(JP5)
|
|
- External:
(JP5)
|
|
Maximum external
stores load |
|
Take off weight
(normal) |
11,113kg |
- Fighter
mission
|
|
- Attack
mission
|
|
- Maximum
|
|
Maximum wing
loading (attack mission) |
|
|
Performance (At Maximum Takeoff Weight)
Max level speed |
561
knots |
Max speed,
intermediate power |
|
Approach speed |
|
Acceleration from
460 knots to 920 knots
at 10,670 m |
|
Combat ceiling |
|
T-O run @
23,000lbs take-off weight |
832m |
Minimum wind over
deck: |
- Launching
|
|
- Recovery
|
|
Combat Radius (km) |
575 KM |
Combat radius,
interdiction, hi-lo-lo-hi |
|
Combat endurance,
CAP 150 nm
from aircraft carrier |
|
Ferry range,
unrefueled |
1,740nm |
|
VRML 3-D Model |
A-4F Skyhawk
VRML by Soji Yamakawa |
No comments:
Post a Comment