| A-7 Corsair II | ||
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The A-7 Corsair II was a light attack aircraft which served the United States Navy.
In May 1963, the Navy began a design competition for a light-attack, carrier-based aircraft to replace the Douglas A-4. The new aircraft was to carry a larger ordnance payload than the Skyhawk and fly a greater combat radius. Vought, Douglas, Grumman, and North American responded to the Navy’s invitation to bid. Vought was selected as the winner in February 1964. In March, the designation A-7A was approved for the new aircraft. The proposal by Vought engineers was based on their F-8 Crusader but without that fighter’s adjustable wing incidence. It was to incorporate the Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-6 turbo-fan engine which had been developed for the F-111. The engine for the A-7, however, was not to have an afterburner. By using a proven design and engine, development of the A-7 was greatly accelerated over what it would have been if both airframe and powerplant were entirely new concepts. Beginning with the A-7D, the more powerful Allison TF41-A-1 turbofan, a U.S. built version of the British Rolls-Royce Spey, was installed.
The A-7 carried twin rails on the fuselage for AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, although no A-7 pilot has ever scored an air to air kill or even engaged in air to air combat outside of exercises.
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