The General Electric F404 and F412 are a family of afterburning turbofan engines in the 10,500–19,000 lbf (47–85 kN ) class (static thrust). The series is produced by GE Aerospace . Partners include Volvo Aero , which builds the RM12 variant. The F404 was developed into the larger F414 turbofan, as well as the experimental GE36 civil propfan .
89-561: The ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk is a major upgrade project of the Douglas A-4S Skyhawk attack aircraft undertaken by Singapore Aircraft Industries (SAI, now ST Aerospace ) in the 1980s. It was used exclusively by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), serving in the fighter-bomber role from 1989 until retirement from front line service in 2005. Since mid-1999, the A-4SU took on
178-599: A "loft" delivery technique. Furthermore, it pioneered the concept of "buddy" air-to-air refueling , enabling an aircraft to supply others and reduce the need for dedicated aerial tankers . The Skyhawk was originally powered by the Wright J65 turbojet engine; from the A-4E onwards, the Pratt & Whitney J52 engine was used instead. The Skyhawk was in production through to February 1979, by which point 2,960 aircraft had been delivered to
267-486: A Pave Penny laser seeker mounted in the nose, an Inertial navigation system (INS), a Tactical air navigation system (TACAN), fore & aft Radar warning receivers (RWR) and chaff / flare countermeasures ) of the aircraft. The modernized A-4SU and TA-4SU versions with its new F404 turbofan engine had 29% more thrust, which resulted in a 30% reduction in takeoff time as well as an increase in usable payload, range and maximum speed. The maximum speed now at sea level
356-638: A major non-NATO ally ). Ejection seats did not work and there were many other mechanical faults. In spite of this, A-4s were still active during the 1982 Falklands War . During the 1982 Falklands War , Argentina deployed 48 Skyhawks (26 A-4B, 12 A-4C and 10 A-4Q aircraft). Armed with unguided bombs and lacking any electronic or missile self-defense, the Skyhawk could not effectively dogfight with Fleet Air Arm (FAA) British Aerospace Sea Harriers . Despite this, Argentine Air Force Skyhawks conducted numerous bombing missions against Royal Navy vessels, sinking
445-482: A minelayer as a result. Furthermore, skirmishes between IAF Skyhawks and Arab aircraft of various sorts frequently occurred. In May 1970, an Israeli Skyhawk piloted by Col. Ezra Dotan shot down two MiG-17s over south Lebanon (one with unguided rockets, the other with 30 mm cannon fire) even though the Skyhawk's head-up display had no "air-to-air mode". However, up to three Skyhawks were downed by Egyptian MiG-21s, plus two were downed by Soviet-piloted MiG-21s during
534-626: A POW on 12 February 1973. The last A-4 loss in the Vietnam War occurred on 26 September 1972, when USMC pilot Captain James P. Walsh, USMC of VMA-211 , flying close air support from Bien Hoa Air Base , South Vietnam , was hit by ground fire during the Battle of An Lộc . Captain Walsh ejected safely and was the last U.S. Marine to be taken prisoner during the war. He was released as a POW on 12 February 1973. Although
623-563: A compact, straightforward, and lightweight aircraft for the era. Its maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 pounds (11,100 kg) being roughly half of the Navy's weight specification. The Skyhawk has a short-span delta wing configuration, a tricycle undercarriage , and is powered by a single turbojet engine. The U.S. Navy issued a contract for the aircraft on 12 June 1952. On 22 June 1954, the XA4D-1 prototype performed its maiden flight ; it went on to set
712-521: A compounding increase in weight in other areas to compensate, creating a demand for more powerful, heavier engines, larger wing and empennage area, and so on in a vicious circle. The A-4 pioneered the concept of "buddy" air-to-air refueling . This allows the aircraft to supply others of the same type, reducing the need for dedicated tanker aircraft—a particular advantage for small air arms or when operating in remote locations. This allows for greatly improved operational flexibility and reassurance against
801-448: A lead-in fighter trainer for RSAF pilots. This made it the prime candidate for moving to France, and the first of 18 aircraft were "packed" and sent to France by ship in mid-1999 as part of the RSAF's Advanced Jet Training Program. The 11 remaining training aircraft (4× A-4SU and 7× TA-4SU) were originally scheduled to retire in 2007 but remained in service until the delivery of their replacement,
890-504: A maximum of 17,700 lbf (78.7 kN) of thrust with afterburner. The new engine version was used on Kuwaiti Hornets, later U.S. C and D Hornets, and subsequent Hornets. The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle uses a single General Electric F404-GE-102 turbofan engine with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system; the engine is similar to the F404-402, but with additional redundancies built in for single-engine operations. The aircraft has
979-647: A maximum speed of Mach 1.5. Almost 4,000 F404 engines power the F/A-18 Hornets in service worldwide. The F404 engine family had totaled over 12 million flight hours by 2010. For HAL Tejas , GE developed an uprated F404-IN20 , which is the highest thrust variant in F404 family, and which produces a maximum of 19,000 lbf (85 kN) of thrust with afterburner. It incorporates latest hot section materials and technologies as well as FADEC system for reliable power and performance. India bought 10 F404-F2J3 which
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#17328446540281068-524: A result of four A-4S being written off in separate accidents, coupled with the low serviceability of the original batch of A-4S, investigations conducted by RSAF revealed that although there was plenty of fuselage life left, the Wright J65 turbojet engines in use by the Skyhawks were too old and the associated spare parts were becoming both difficult and expensive to obtain. Consequently, the RSAF decided to upgrade
1157-422: A similar role flying from Australian, Argentinean, and Brazilian upgraded World War II surplus light ASW carriers, which were unable to operate most large modern fighters. Primary air-to-air armament consisted of the internal 20 mm (.79 in) Colt cannons and ability to carry an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile on both underwing hardpoints, later additions of two more underwing hardpoints on some aircraft made for
1246-709: A single strike against rebels in Buenos Aires . The U.S. placed an embargo of spare parts in 1977 due to the Dirty War , backing the Humphrey-Kennedy amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1976, the Carter administration placed an embargo on the sale of arms and spare parts to Argentina and on the training of its military personnel (which was lifted in the 1990s under Carlos Menem 's presidency when Argentina became
1335-516: A slightly longer nose to house a new avionics package, five stores hardpoints instead of the usual three, a saddle-style Automatic Direction Finder dorsal hump, cockpit armour plating , spoilers , a cranked refuelling probe , AIM-9 Sidewinder capability, a brake parachute housing below the jetpipe into the standard A-4B airframes. As with the Israeli A-4Hs which were armed with a pair of 30 mm DEFA cannons , these were similarly armed with
1424-518: A three-staged fan, seven axial stage compressor arrangement, single stage low and high pressure turbines, an augmentor, and produces maximum thrust of 16,000 lbf (71.2 kN) in the original F404-GE-400 model. The engine was designed with a higher priority on reliability than performance. Cost was the main goal in the design of the engine. GE also analyzed "throttle profiles" and found that pilots were changing throttle settings far more often than engineers previously expected, putting undue stress on
1513-459: A total capacity of four AAMs. The first combat loss of an A-4 occurred on 5 August 1964, when Lieutenant junior grade Everett Alvarez , of VA-144 aboard USS Constellation , was shot down while attacking enemy torpedo boats in North Vietnam . Alvarez safely ejected after being hit by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire, and became the first U.S. Naval POW of the war. He was released as
1602-582: A variety of operators. 555 aircraft alone were built as dedicated two-seat trainers . The Skyhawk saw active combat on several occasions. The U.S. Navy operated the type as its principal light attack aircraft during the Vietnam War , carrying out some of the first air strikes by the U.S. during the conflict . The Skyhawk was the Israeli Air Force 's main ground attack aircraft during both the War of Attrition and
1691-599: A world speed record of 695.163 mph on 15 October 1955. The aircraft is of conventional post-World War II design, with a low-mounted delta wing , tricycle undercarriage , and a single turbojet engine in the rear fuselage, with two air intakes on the fuselage sides. The tail is of cruciform design , with the horizontal stabilizer mounted above the fuselage. Armament consisted of two 20 mm (.79 in caliber) Colt Mark 12 cannons , one in each wing root, with 100 rounds per gun (the A-4M Skyhawk II and types based on
1780-470: A world speed record of 695.163 mph on 15 October 1955. On 1 October 1956, the Skyhawk was introduced to operational service. The Skyhawk's five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs, and other munitions. It is capable of carrying a bomb load equivalent to that of the World War II-era Boeing B-17 bomber, and can deliver nuclear weapons using a low-altitude bombing system and
1869-585: Is 610 knots (1,130 km/h; 700 mph), and maximum cruise speed at 30,000 feet (9,100 m) is 446 knots (826 km/h; 513 mph). By 1974, the RSAF received enough refurbished A-4S to form the No. 142 Gryphon Squadron and No. 143 Phoenix Sqn , which were based at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base , respectively. In RSAF service, the A-4S/TA-4S were given 3-digit serials starting with 6 (e.g. 600, 651). From 1982 A-4S-1 and TA-4S-1 Skyhawks would join
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#17328446540281958-552: Is used on 2 Technology Demonstrators and 6 prototypes of Tejas in early 2000s. Two deals for 17 and 24 engines for powering LSP (including Naval prototypes) and Mk 1 IOC variants of Tejas was signed in 2004 and 2007, respectively. As of September 2024, 75 engines (including F2J3 and IN20 variants) have been delivered to India. On 17 August 2021, India signed a contract with GE worth ₹ 5,375 crore (equivalent to ₹ 60 billion or US$ 720 million in 2023) to supply 99 F404 engines and service support by 2029. However,
2047-425: The A-4S/TA-4S rather than to replace them. With SAI contracted as the main contractor for the upgrading project and a non-afterburning General Electric F404 -GE-100D turbofan engine selected as the new engine, the upgrading project would later be extended to cover the entire fleet of newer A-4S-1 s as well as taking the opportunity to completely modernize the avionics package (newly installed equipment now included
2136-543: The Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master , which was scheduled for 2012. Data from International Directory of Military Aircraft , Skyhawk.Org General characteristics Performance Armament Avionics Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Douglas A-4 Skyhawk#Variants The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft designed and produced by
2225-610: The Blue Angels demonstration team, until McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets were available in the 1980s. The last U.S. Navy Skyhawks, TA-4J models belonging to the composite squadron VC-8, remained in military use for target towing, and as adversary aircraft, for combat training at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads . These aircraft were officially retired on 3 May 2003. Skyhawks were well loved by their crews for being tough and agile. These attributes, along with their low purchase and operating cost as well as easy maintenance, have contributed to
2314-467: The Brazilian Naval Aviation . The Skyhawk was designed by Douglas Aircraft's Ed Heinemann in response to a United States Navy call for a jet-powered attack aircraft to replace the piston-powered Douglas AD Skyraider (later redesignated A-1 Skyraider). Heinemann opted for a design that would minimize its size, weight, and complexity. The result was an aircraft that weighed only half of
2403-848: The F110 for the Air Force as an alternative to the Pratt & Whitney F100 for use on the F-16 and F-15 based on the F101 and used F404 technology. The F110 was derived from the F101 via the F101DFE, though some elements of the F404 such as the design of the fan, albeit enlarged, were incorporated, per the F110 page and other sources. GE developed the F404-GE-402 in response to a Swiss requirement for more power in its F/A-18 version; it produces
2492-674: The French Air and Space Museum (Musée de l'Air) for static display. On 12 January 2006, a Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance signing ceremony took place between representatives of the RSAF and the French Aeronautics Museum at Cazaux Air Base in France. Since then, only 928 was put on display in the Rosette Hall of the museum while 941 was stored. In 1998, the French government offered
2581-494: The North American F-86 Sabres still in service in the 4th Air Brigade (Spanish: IV Brigada Aérea ). They were received as is and refurbished to flight status by Air Force technicians at Río Cuarto , Córdoba. The C model had five weapon pylons and could use AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missiles . The Argentine Naval Aviation also bought the Skyhawk known as A-4Q in the form of 16 A-4Bs in 1972, which unlike
2670-461: The Type 42 destroyer Coventry and inflicted a variety of damage on several others: Type 21 frigate Antelope (subsequently sunk during attempted disposal of unexploded bombs), RFA Sir Galahad (subsequently scuttled as a war grave), Type 42 Glasgow , Leander -class frigate Argonaut , Type 22 frigate Broadsword , and RFA Sir Tristram . General Electric F404 GE developed
2759-581: The Yom Kippur War . In the Falklands War , Argentine Air Force Skyhawks bombed Royal Navy vessels, sinking the Type 42 destroyer Coventry and the Type 21 frigate Ardent . Kuwaiti Air Force Skyhawks saw action during Operation Desert Storm . In 2022, nearly seven decades after the aircraft's first flight in 1954, a number of Skyhawks remain in service with the Argentine Air Force and
ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk - Misplaced Pages Continue
2848-400: The first air strikes by the U.S. during the conflict , and a Marine Skyhawk is believed to have dropped the last American bombs on the country. Notable naval aviators who flew the Skyhawk included Lieutenant Commanders Everett Alvarez, Jr. and John McCain , and Commander James Stockdale . On 1 May 1967, an A-4C Skyhawk piloted by Lieutenant Commander Theodore R. Swartz of VA-76 aboard
2937-405: The 30 mm (1.18 in) ADEN cannons in place of the original 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons . A later order of four two-seat trainer airframes was placed in 1976, and these joined the RSAF in 1977. The TA-4S trainers were not the standard TA-4 with a common cockpit for the student and instructor pilot, but were instead rebuilt by Lockheed with a 28-inch (710 mm) fuselage plug inserted into
3026-688: The A-4 was developed for the IAF, the A-4H. This was an A-4E which featured improved avionics and the improved thrust J52-P-8A engine. Armament consisted of twin DEFA 30 mm cannon in place of the Colt Mk.12 20 mm cannons. Later modifications included the avionics hump and an extended tailpipe. The extended tailpipe gave greater protection against heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles. A total of 90 A-4Hs were delivered. In early 1973,
3115-429: The A-4, but significantly larger and heavier. The Navy operated the A-4 in both Regular Navy and Naval Reserve light attack squadrons (VA). Although the A-4's use as a training and adversary aircraft would continue well into the 1990s, the Navy began removing the aircraft from its frontline attack squadrons in 1967, with the last ones (Super Foxes of VA-55/212/164) being retired in 1976. The Marine Corps would not take
3204-528: The A-4M have 200 rounds per gun), plus a large variety of bombs, rockets, and missiles carried on a hardpoint under the fuselage centerline and hardpoints under each wing (originally one per wing, later two). The short-span delta wing did not require the complexity of wingtip folding, saving an estimated 200 pounds (91 kg). Its spars were machined from a single forging that spanned across both wingtips. The leading edge slats were designed to drop automatically at
3293-441: The Air Force's A-4Ps, were powered by 8,400 lbf (40 kN) J-65-W-20 engines and fitted to use Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. They were received in 1972 to be used mainly from the aircraft carrier ARA Veinticinco de Mayo by the 3rd Fighter/Attack Squadron (Spanish: 3ra Escuadrilla Aeronaval de Caza y Ataque ). The first combat use of Argentina's Skyhawks took place amid a military revolt during December 1975, performing
3382-514: The American aerospace manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company , and later, McDonnell Douglas . It was originally designated A4D under the United States Navy 's pre-1962 designation system . The Skyhawk was developed during the early 1950s on behalf of the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps as a replacement for the propeller-driven Douglas A-1 (AD) Skyraider . The A-4 is by comparison,
3471-537: The B/C models instead of the Pratt & Whitney J52 used by the purpose-built TA-4E/Fs tandem-seaters from Douglas assembly line; this was the main reason why the RSAF decided to not procure the TA-4E/Fs (if indeed an order was placed) and then having to maintain two different engines to power essentially the same aircraft type (a scenario not unlike having a fleet within a fleet). All of the single-seaters were later retired when
3560-628: The Commanding Officer of the air station. The aircraft were instrumental in training and development of ACM for Naval Air Reserve fighter squadrons VF-201 and VF-202 flying the F-4 Phantom II and later the Grumman F-14 Tomcat . The unit also completed several missions involving target towing to NAS Key West, Florida; NAS Kingsville , Texas, and deployments to NAS Miramar, California and NAS Fallon, Nevada for adversary support. The detachment
3649-781: The F-4's GE J79 , but provide at least as much thrust, and cost half as much as the P&;W F100 engine for the F-16. Due to a fan designed to smooth airflow before it enters the compressor, the F404 has high resistance to compressor stalls , even at high angles of attack. It requires less than two shop visits per 1,000 flight hours and averages 6,500 hours between in-flight events. It also demonstrates high responsiveness to control inputs, spooling from idle to full afterburner in 4 seconds. The engine contains an in-flight engine condition monitoring system (IECMS) that monitors for critical malfunctions and keeps track of parts lifetimes. GE developed
ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk - Misplaced Pages Continue
3738-755: The F404 for the F/A-18 Hornet , shortly after losing the competition for the F-15 Eagle 's engine to Pratt & Whitney , and losing the Lightweight Fighter (LWF) competition to the Pratt & Whitney F100 powered YF-16 . For the F/A-18, GE based the F404 on the YJ101 engine they had developed for the Northrop YF-17 , enlarging the bypass ratio from 0.20 to 0.34 to enable higher fuel efficiency. The engine consists of
3827-448: The Navy's weight specification. It had a wing so compact that it did not need to be folded for carrier stowage. The first 500 production examples cost an average of $ 860,000 each, less than the Navy's one million dollar maximum. The diminutive Skyhawk soon received the nicknames "Scooter", "Kiddiecar", "Bantam Bomber", "Tinker Toy Bomber", and, on account of its speed and nimble performance, "Heinemann's Hot-Rod". The XA4D-1 prototype set
3916-428: The RSAF as attrition replacements with the balance being allocated in 1984 to form a new unit - No. 145 Hornet Squadron which was also based at Tengah Air Base. These were given 3-digit serial starting with 9 (e.g. 900, 929). In total, approximately 150 airframes (all A-4Bs and Cs) were acquired by Singapore. The modernized A-4SU Super Skyhawks were received by 143 Squadron first, followed by 142 and 145 Squadron of
4005-580: The RSAF from 1989 onwards. The type was also operated by the RSAF Black Knights aerobatic display team for precision aerial manoeuvers from 1990 to 2000. After 31 years of operations, the RSAF officially withdrew its fleet of A-4SU Super Skyhawks from operational combat service in Singapore on 31 March 2005. The A-4SU's achievements included flying directly from Singapore to the Philippines , incorporating
4094-599: The RSAF's first air-to-air refuelling mission in 1986, as well as the aerobatic display of the 'red and white' Super Skyhawks flown by the RSAF Black Knights during Asian Aerospace 1990, 1994 and 2000, it was last used by the Black Knights during Singapore's National Day Parade held on 9 August 2000. A month before its retirement, the Skyhawk squadron (145 Squadron) won the top honours in a strike exercise against its more modern F-16 and F-5 counterparts and emerged as
4183-568: The Skyhawk remained in Navy service, however, finding a new lease on life with the advent of "adversary training", where the nimble A-4 was used as a stand-in for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 in dissimilar air combat training (DACT). It served in that role at TOPGUN until 1999. The A-4's nimble performance also made it suitable to replace the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II when the Navy downsized its aircraft for
4272-497: The Skyhawk's air brakes were used as improvised chaff dispensers. Improvements in tactics, such as the adoption of toss-bombing attacks, were also adopted in the latter part of the conflict. ACIG.org claims that at least nine Skyhawks were downed by MiG-21 and MiG-17 fighters during the Yom Kippur War. Formal Israeli sources claim only five IAF aircraft of any type were shot down in air-to-air duels. A special version of
4361-555: The Top combat squadron in the Singapore Armed Forces Best Unit Competition , an honour it has held since year 2000. On 5 October 2005, one A-4SU Skyhawk was delivered to Singapore Polytechnic as a teaching aid. Subsequently, Ngee Ann Polytechnic , Temasek Polytechnic and Nanyang Technological University would each receive an A-4SU Skyhawk as well. Two of the retired A-4SU Super Skyhawks were also donated to
4450-622: The U.S. Navy's replacement, the LTV A-7 Corsair II , instead keeping Skyhawks in service with both Regular Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve attack squadrons (VMA), and ordering the new A-4M model. The last USMC Skyhawk was delivered in 1979, and they were used until the mid-1980s before they were replaced by the equally small, but more versatile STOVL AV-8 Harrier II . VMA-131 , Marine Aircraft Group 49 (the Diamondbacks) retired its last four OA-4Ms on 22 June 1994. Trainer versions of
4539-459: The War of Attrition. During the Yom Kippur War, IAF Skyhawks carried out numerous bombing missions, flying a considerable proportion of the tactical sorties made throughout the conflict. The vast majority of losses incurred were from surface to air missiles (SAMs); as many of 30 IAF aircraft were lost in a single day while resisting Egyptian and Syrian advances. To counter the radar-guided SAM threat,
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#17328446540284628-454: The Yom Kippur War, and no loss of aircraft was reported on that date. During the 1982 Lebanon War , an Israeli A-4 piloted by Aharon Achiaz was shot down over Lebanon by a SA-7 on 6 June 1982. Israel reported this was one of its only two fixed-wing aircraft shot down over the Beqaa Valley during air battles spanning from 6 June 1982 to 11 June 1982 where 150 aircraft took part, including
4717-534: The additional role of being the designated advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft for the RSAF's AJT training program/detachment in Cazaux, France. Starting in 1973, the RSAF began to acquire Douglas A-4 Skyhawks. The first batch of over 50 airframes (ex- US Navy A-4Bs) was ordered and was subsequently requisitioned from the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center at Davis–Monthan AFB , Arizona which
4806-584: The adversary role, the A-4 remained a viable threat surrogate until it was retired by VF-43 in 1993 and shortly thereafter by VFC-12. The last A-4 fleet operators were VC-8, which retired its Skyhawks in 2003. The A-4M was also operated by the Operations Maintenance Detachment (OMD) in an adversary role based at NAS Dallas , Texas for the Naval Air Reserve. Many of the aviators that flew the four jets were attached to NAS Dallas, including
4895-462: The aircraft with, but was initially limited, refusing to supply cluster bombs or napalm . The Skyhawk became the first U.S. warplane to be offered to the Israeli Air Force (IAF), marking the point where the U.S took over France as Israel's chief military supplier. Deliveries began after the Six-Day War, and A-4s soon formed the backbone of the IAF's ground-attack force. In IAF service, the Skyhawk
4984-411: The appropriate speed by gravity and air pressure, saving weight and space by omitting actuation motors and switches. Similarly the main undercarriage did not penetrate the main wing spar, designed so that when retracted only the wheel itself was inside the wing and the undercarriage struts were housed in a fairing below the wing. Thus the wing structure was lighter with the same overall strength. The rudder
5073-493: The battle on 9 June 1982 known as Operation Mole Cricket 19 . In October 2008, it was decided that, due to maintenance issues, the Skyhawk fleet would be withdrawn and replaced by more modern aircraft, able to perform equally well in the training role and, if required, close support and interdiction missions on the battlefield. Some of Israel's A-4s were later exported to Indonesia . The Skyhawks have been replaced by F-16s in combat roles but are still used for pilot training. All
5162-507: The border with Jordan . In the late 1960s and 1970s, IAF Skyhawks were the primary ground attack aircraft in the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War . During July 1969, in response to Egyptian shelling of Israeli positions in the Sinai Peninsula , air strikes were conducted against Egyptian missile sites. On 6 February 1970, Skyhawks attacked the Egyptian port of Gardaka , sinking
5251-478: The carrier USS Bon Homme Richard , shot down a North Vietnamese Air Force MiG-17 with an unguided Zuni rocket , serving as the Skyhawk's only air-to-air victory of the Vietnam War. From 1956 onwards, Navy Skyhawks were the first aircraft to be deployed outside of the U.S. armed with the AIM-9 Sidewinder. On strike missions, the Skyhawk's normal role, air-to-air armaments were used for self-defense. In
5340-586: The cranked refuelling probe found on the original A-4S/TA-4S ) would join the RSAF as attrition replacements from 1982. However, these airframes retained the original 20 mm (0.787 in) Colt Mk 12 cannons of the A-4Cs. In 1983, a third order of 8 TA-4S saw 16 stored A-4Bs from the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center being converted and rebuilt as the TA-4S-1 trainers (eight airframes). In 1985, as
5429-531: The early to mid-1960s, standard U.S. Navy A-4B Skyhawk squadrons were assigned to provide fighter protection for anti-submarine warfare aircraft operating from some Essex -class anti-submarine warfare carriers; these aircraft retained their ground- and sea-attack capabilities. The A-4B lacked an air-to-air radar, and it required visual identification of targets and guidance from either ships or an airborne Grumman E-1 Tracer AEW aircraft. Lightweight and safer to land on smaller decks, Skyhawks would later also play
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#17328446540285518-414: The engines. GE also sought with the F404 a design that would avoid compressor stalls and other engine failures, and would respond quickly to control inputs; a common complaint of pilots converting from propeller planes to jets was that early turbojets were not responsive to changes in thrust input. GE executives Frederick A. Larson and Paul Setts also set the goal that the new engine would be smaller than
5607-443: The establishment of the Navy Fighter Weapons School ( TOPGUN ) in 1969, the availability of Skyhawks in both the Instrument RAGs and Composite Squadrons at the master jet bases presented a ready resource of the nimble Skyhawks that had become the TOPGUN preferred surrogate for the MiG-17. At the time, the F-4 Phantom was just beginning to be exploited to its full potential as a fighter and had not performed as well as expected against
5696-561: The first A-4Es were flown in Vietnam in early 1965, the A-4Cs continued to be used until late 1970. On 1 June 1965, the Chu Lai Short Airfield for Tactical Support (SATS) was officially opened with the arrival of eight Skyhawks from Cubi Point , Philippine Islands. The group landed with the aid of arresting cables, refueled and took off with the aid of JATO , with fuel and bombs to support Marine combat units. The Skyhawks were from Marine Attack Squadron VMA-225 and VMA-311 . Lieutenant commander Michael J. Estocin of Attack Squadron 192
5785-641: The first batch of Skyhawks. During the Yom Kippur War, the Skyhawk order of battle was reinforced with TA-4F and TA-4J models. In January 2003, the IAF selected RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. to upgrade its A-4 trainer fleet with weapon delivery, navigation and training systems. Integration of a multifunction and Head-up Display produced an advanced Lead in fighter trainer for the IAF's future fighter pilots. According to acig.org, Syria claimed that two Israeli Skyhawks were downed by Syrian MiG-23s over northern Lebanon on 26 April 1981. However, official IAF statistics do not list any downing of Israeli warplanes since
5874-428: The first engine of the deal signed in 2021 is yet to be delivered as of October 2024 which has led to the delay of delivery of HAL Tejas Mk1A aircraft to the Indian Air Force . Earlier reports suggested that engine delivery was expected to be commenced from September 2024 at the rate of 1-2 per month. GE developed the F404 into the F412-GE-400 non-afterburning turbofan for the McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II . After
5963-466: The flags of all nations that operated the A-4 painted on its fuselage sides. The Skyhawk proved to be a relatively common United States Navy aircraft export. Due to its small size, it could be operated from older, smaller World War II-era aircraft carriers still used by smaller navies during the 1960s. These older ships were often unable to accommodate newer Navy fighters such as the F-4 Phantom II and F-8 Crusader , which were faster and more capable than
6052-431: The front fuselage and a separate bulged cockpit (giving better all round visibility) for the instructor seated behind the student pilot. This arrangement was unique for the RSAF but was not the first by Lockheed (the Lockheed SR-71B and U-2CT/U-2RT/TR-1B/TU-2S trainers also used stepped cockpits). As such converted/rebuilt airframes, these TA-4S trainers were powered by the original Wright J65 turbojet engines as used in
6141-403: The hands of a well trained aviator made it ideal to teach fleet aviators the finer points of DACT. The squadrons eventually began to display vivid threat type paint schemes signifying their transition into the primary role of Adversary training. To better perform the Adversary role, single-seat A-4E and F models were introduced to the role, but the ultimate adversary Skyhawk was the Super Fox, which
6230-492: The improved A-4N Skyhawk for Israel entered service, based on the A-4M models used by the U.S. Marine Corps. The different model Skyhawks carried out bombing missions in the Yom Kippur War, and a considerable proportion of the tactical sorties. They also attacked in Operation Peace for the Galilee, and one of them shot down a Syrian MiG-17. The IAF also operated two-seat models, for operations as well as advanced training and retraining. The first training models arrived in 1967, with
6319-433: The leaking tank caught fire, creating a massive conflagration that burned for hours , killing 134 sailors, and injuring 161. During the conflict, 362 A-4/TA-4F Skyhawks were lost due to all causes. The U.S. Navy lost 271 A-4s, the U.S. Marine Corps lost 81 A-4s and 10 TA-4Fs. A total of 32 A-4s were lost to surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and one A-4 was lost in aerial combat to a MiG-17 on 25 April 1967. The Skyhawk, in
6408-436: The loss or malfunction of tanker aircraft, though this procedure reduces the effective combat force on board the carrier. A designated supply A-4 would mount a center-mounted "buddy store", a large external fuel tank with a hose reel in the aft section and an extensible drogue refueling bucket. This aircraft was fueled up without armament and launched first. Attack aircraft were armed to the maximum and were given as much fuel as
6497-498: The nose of the aircraft which could be repaired in less than an hour. The Navy issued a contract for the type on 12 June 1952, and the first prototype first flew from Edwards Air Force Base , California on 22 June 1954. Deliveries to Navy ( VA-72 ) and Marine Corps ( VMA-224 ) squadrons commenced in late 1956. The Skyhawk remained in production until 1979, with 2,960 aircraft built, including 555 two-seat trainers . The last production A-4, an A-4M of Marine squadron VMA-331 had
6586-473: The popularity of the A-4 with American and international armed forces. Besides the U.S., at least three other nations have used Skyhawks in combat (Argentina, Israel, and Kuwait). Skyhawks were the U.S. Navy's primary light attack aircraft used over North Vietnam during the early years of the Vietnam War ; later supplanted by the A-7 Corsair II in the U.S. Navy light attack role. Skyhawks carried out some of
6675-782: The remaining A-4s were to be fully phased out beginning by 2014 as the IAF accepts delivery of Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master jets. Skyhawks were last used in combat operations in the Israeli air force in 2012, when they dropped leaflets over Gaza. In July 2013, Israel began a program called Teuza (boldness) for the purpose of turning some military bases into sales lots for obsolete IDF equipment. Older models that are not suited for Israel's modern high-tech forces will be sold off, or sold for scrap if there are no buyers. Skyhawks are among those being offered. On 13 December 2015, all remaining IAF Skyhawks were retired from service. The retirement ceremony took place at Hatzerim IDF base. Argentina
6764-427: The smaller North Vietnamese MiG-17 and MiG-21 opponents. TOPGUN introduced the notion of dissimilar air combat training (DACT) using modified A-4E/Fs. Modified aircraft, called "Mongoose", lost the dorsal hump, the 20 mm cannon with their ammo systems, and the external stores, although sometimes the centerline station was kept. The slats were fixed. The small size of the Skyhawk and superb low speed handling in
6853-510: The starboard side of the aircraft nose. They could then sortie with both full armament and fuel loads. The A-4 was rarely used for refueling in U.S. service after the KA-3 Skywarrior tanker became available aboard the larger carriers. The A-4 was also designed to be able to make an emergency landing, in the event of a hydraulic failure, on the two drop tanks nearly always carried by these aircraft. Such landings resulted in only minor damage to
6942-1223: The time period when Naval Aviation still had a great number of propeller-driven aircraft and also provided annual instrument training and check rides for Naval Aviators . The assigned TA-4J models were installed with collapsible hoods so the aviator under training had to demonstrate instrument flying skills without any outside reference. These units were VF-126 at NAS Miramar , California; VA-127 (later VFA-127; NAS FALLON, NV) at NAS Lemoore, California; VF-43 at NAS Oceana , Virginia; and VA-45 (later VF-45) at NAS Cecil Field , Florida until its later move to NAS Key West , Florida. Additional single-seat Skyhawks were also assigned to composite squadrons (VC) worldwide to provide training and other services to deployed units. These included VC-1 at NAS Barbers Point , Hawaii; VC-7 at NAS Miramar , California; VC-5 at NAS Cubi Point , Philippines ; VC-8 at NS Roosevelt Roads , Puerto Rico; VC-10 at NAVBASE Guantánamo Bay , Cuba , and Naval Reserve squadrons VC-12 (later VFC-12) at NAS Oceana , Virginia and VC-13 (later VFC-13) at NAS Miramar, California until its later move to NAS Fallon , Nevada. With renewed emphasis on Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) training brought on with
7031-546: The two-seat TA-4J configuration, was introduced to a training role replacing the TF-9J Cougar . The TA-4J served as the advanced jet trainer in white and orange markings for decades until being replaced by the T-45 Goshawk . Additional TA-4Js were assigned to Instrument Training RAGs at all the Navy master jet bases under RCVW-12 and RCVW-4. The Instrument RAGs initially provided jet transition training for Naval Aviators during
7120-568: The upgraded A-4SU began to enter service, the twin-seaters were upgraded instead and remained in service. A second batch of 70 airframes was ordered (mix of ex-US Navy A-4Bs and A-4Cs) in 1980, these were shipped directly to Singapore for rebuilding with the A-4Cs being rebuilt as the A-4S-1s while the A-4Bs remained in storage for use as spares. Along with a small number of TA-4S-1s, these newer Skyhawks (characterised by its straight refuelling probe instead of
7209-438: The use of facilities at Cazaux Air Base . A 25-year lease for basing rights of 18 A-4SU aircraft and approximately 250 RSAF personnel and their families was signed later that year. Back in Singapore, 143 Squadron was disbanded in 1997, and its aircraft were handed over to 150 Squadron, which had given up its SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 basic trainers. The new squadron then took up the role of advanced jet training, using its aircraft as
7298-425: Was allowable by maximum takeoff weight limits, which was far less than a full tank. It was SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to launch one Skyhawk as a tanker per launch-recovery cycle. In combat, 2-3 Skyhawk tankers were launched, especially if several groups of aircraft were attacking a heavily defended target. Once airborne, they topped off their fuel tanks from the tanker using the A-4's fixed refueling probe on
7387-438: Was constructed of a single panel reinforced with external ribs. The aircraft's turbojet engine was accessed for service or replacement by removing the aft section of the fuselage and sliding out the engine. This obviated the need for access doors with their hinges and latches further reducing weight and complexity. This is the opposite of what can often happen in aircraft design where a small weight increase in one area leads to
7476-503: Was equipped with the uprated J52-P-408 engine. This variant had entered service in 1974 with VA-55/VA-164/VA-212 on the final USS Hancock cruise and had been the variant that the Blue Angels had selected in 1973. The surplus of former USMC Skyhawks resulted in A-4M versions being used by both VF-126 and TOPGUN. Even though the A-4 was augmented by the F-5E , F-21 (Kfir) , F-16 , and F/A-18 in
7565-835: Was named as the Ayit ( Hebrew : עיט for Eagle ). The aircraft had a relatively low cost, a quarter of what a Phantom II cost, while carrying half of its payload. Israel purchased 217 A-4s, plus another 46 that were transferred from U.S. units in Operation Nickel Grass to compensate for large losses during the Yom Kippur War. The first deliveries took place in December 1967. Skyhawks promptly began to replace Dassault Ouragan and Dassault Mystère IV in IAF service, providing greater speed, range, and lift capacity in comparison to these older types. The first combat mission took place on 15 February 1968, attacking artillery and military bases along
7654-586: Was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while flying surface-to-air missile (SAM) suppression during coordinated strikes against targets in Haiphong , North Vietnam , on 20 April and 26 April 1967. On 29 July 1967, the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal was conducting combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War . A Zuni rocket misfired, striking an external tank on an A-4. Fuel from
7743-570: Was released to the Lockheed Aircraft Service Company at Ontario, California , and its subsidiary Lockheed Aircraft Service Singapore at Seletar Airfield , Singapore for a major overhaul and refurbishment. These aircraft would later emerge as the A-4S single-seater (44 airframes) and the TA-4S two-seat trainer (three airframes), all having more than 100 changes incorporated (these included
7832-507: Was the first foreign user of the Skyhawk and had nearly 130 A-4s delivered since 1965. The Argentine Air Force received 25 A-4Bs in 1966 and another 25 in 1970, all refurbished in the United States by Lockheed Service Co. prior to their delivery as A-4P , although they were still locally known as A-4B . They had three weapon pylons and served in the 5th Air Brigade (Spanish: V Brigada Aérea ). During 1976, 25 A-4Cs were ordered to replace
7921-483: Was under the operational command of the Commander Fleet Logistics Support Wing (CFLSW), also based at NAS Dallas. Israel was the largest export customer for the Skyhawk. The first Israeli request for the type was issued in 1964; it would not be until February 1966 that the U.S. agreed to supply Skyhawks under certain conditions. The U.S. gradually provided numerous conventional munitions to arm
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