A-7 Corsair II
| A-7 Corsair II | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| United States Navy A-7E from Attack Squadron 46 (VA-46) | |
| Role | Attack aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Ling-Temco-Vought |
| First flight | 26 September 1965 |
| Introduction | February 1967 |
| Retired | 1991 (USAF, USN); 1993 (ANG) 1999 (Portuguese Air Force) 2014 (Hellenic Air Force) |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users |
United States Navy (historical) United States Air Force (historical) Portuguese Air Force (historical) Hellenic Air Force (historical) |
| Produced | 1965–1984 |
| Number built | 1,569 |
| Unit cost |
US$2.86 million
|
| Developed from | Vought F-8 Crusader |
| Variants |
LTV A-7P Corsair II Vought YA-7F |
The LTV A-7 Corsair II was an American carrier-capable subsonic light attack aircraft designed by Ling-Temco-Vought to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Its airframe design was a somewhat smaller version of the supersonic Vought F-8 Crusader. The Corsair II initially entered service with the United States Navy (USN) during the Vietnam War. It was later adopted by the United States Air Force (USAF), including the Air National Guard, to replace the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, and North American F-100 Super Sabre. The aircraft was also exported to Greece in the 1970s, and Portugal in the late 1980s.
In 1962, the United States Navy (USN) began preliminary work on the VAX (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Experimental), a replacement for the A-4 Skyhawk with greater range and payload. Particular emphasis was placed on accurate delivery of weapons to reduce the cost per target. The requirements were finalized in 1963, announcing the VAL (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) competition.
To minimize costs, all proposals had to be based on existing designs. Vought, Douglas Aircraft, Grumman and North American Aviation responded. The Vought proposal was based on the successful Vought F-8 Crusader fighter, having a similar configuration, but shorter and more stubby, with a rounded nose. It was selected as the winner on 11 February 1964, and on 19 March the company received a contract for the initial batch of aircraft, designated A-7. In 1965, the aircraft received the popular name Corsair II, after Vought's highly successful F4U Corsair of World War II. (There was also a Vought O2U Corsair biplane scout and observation aircraft in the 1920s.)
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