Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Fighter Aircraft (Attack Aircraft)
Manufacturer: Ling-Temco-Vought
LTV A-7 Corsair II Aircraft Overview
The LTV A-7 Corsair II is a single-seat, subsonic attack aircraft that was developed for the United States Navy and Air Force in the 1960s. It was designed to replace the older A-4 Skyhawk and to serve as a multi-role aircraft capable of performing ground attack, close air support, and air defense suppression missions.
The A-7 Corsair II was powered by a single Allison TF41-A-1 turbofan engine, which provided a maximum speed of 690 mph (1,110 km/h) and a range of up to 1,300 miles (2,090 km). It was armed with a single 20mm cannon and could carry up to 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) of bombs, missiles, and other weapons on eight external hardpoints.
The A-7 Corsair II saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, where it was used primarily for ground-attack missions. It was also used by the US Navy and Air Force during the Gulf War and in other conflicts, including the Balkans and Iraq. In addition, the A-7 Corsair II was exported to several other countries and was used in a variety of roles, including training and reconnaissance.
Over the course of its service life, the A-7 Corsair II underwent several upgrades and modifications, including improved avionics, engine performance, and weapon systems. It remained in service with the US Navy and Air Force until the early 1990s, and it continues to be used by several foreign air forces today. The A-7 Corsair II is regarded as a highly effective and versatile attack aircraft and is known for its ability to carry out missions in harsh and demanding environments.
LTV A-7 Corsair II Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 46 ft 2 in (14.06 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.8 m)
- Width: 23 ft 9 in (7.24 m) wings folded
- Height: 16 ft 1 in (4.9 m)
- Wing area: 374.9 sq ft (34.83 m2)
- Airfoil: NACA 65A007 root and tip
- Empty weight: 19,127 lb (8,676 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 41,998 lb (19,050 kg) overload condition.
- Fuel capacity: 1,338 US gal (5,060 l; 1,114 imp gal) (10,200 lb (4,600 kg)) internal
- Powerplant: 1 × Allison TF41-A-2 non-afterburning turbofan engine, 15,000 lbf (66.7 kN) thrust.
LTV A-7 Corsair II Performance
- Maximum speed: 600 kn (690 mph, 1,100 km/h) at sea level. 562 kn (1,041 km/h; 647 mph) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) with 12x Mk82 bombs. 595 kn (1,102 km/h; 685 mph) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) after dropping bombs.
- Range: 1,070 nmi (1,231 mi, 1,981 km) maximum internal fuel
- Ferry range: 1,342 nmi (1,544 mi, 2,485 km) with maximum internal and external fuel
- Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 15,000 ft/min (76.2 m/s)
- Wing loading: 77.4 lb/sq ft (378 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight: 0.50 (full internal fuel, no stores)
- Sustained maneuvering performance: 5,300 ft (1,600 m) turning radius at 4.3g and 500 kn (930 km/h; 580 mph) at an All Up Weight (AUW) of 28,765 lb (13,048 kg)
- Take-off run: 1,705 m (5,594 ft) at 42,000 lb (19,000 kg)
LTV A-7 Corsair II Armament
- Guns: 1× M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm (0.79 in) rotary cannon with 1,030 rounds
- Hardpoints: 6× under-wing and 2× fuselage pylon stations (for mounting AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs only) with a capacity of 15,000 lb (6,800 kg) total capacity, with provisions to carry combinations of:
- Rockets: 4× LAU-10 rocket pods (each with 4× 127 mm (5.00 in) Zuni rockets)
- Missiles:
- 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile
- 2× AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile
- 2× AGM-62 Walleye TV-guided glide bomb
- 2× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile
- 2× AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile
- 2× GBU-8 HOBOS electro-optically guided glide bomb
- Bombs:
- Up to 30× 500 lb (230 kg) Mark 82 bombs or Mark 80 series of unguided bombs (including 6.6 lb (3 kg) and 31 lb (14 kg) practice bombs)
- Paveway series of laser-guided bombs
- Up to 4× B28, B43, B57, B61 or B83 nuclear bombs
- Other: up to 4 × 300 US gal (1,100 l; 250 imp gal), 330 US gal (1,200 l; 270 imp gal), or 370 US gal (1,400 l; 310 imp gal) drop tanks.
