Grumman A-6 Intruder

A-6 Intruder
A-6E Intruder of Attack Squadron 52 (VA-52), c.1980
Role	Attack aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Grumman
First flight	19 April 1960
Introduction	1963
Retired	28 April 1993 (USMC) 28 February 1997 (USN)
Status	Retired
Primary users	United States Navy United States Marine Corps
Produced	1962–1990
Number built	693
Unit cost	US$43 million (1998)
Variants	Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler

The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing all-weather attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the United States Navy and Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined Douglas A-1 Skyraider. As the A-6E was slated for retirement, its precision strike mission was taken over by the Grumman F-14 Tomcat equipped with a LANTIRN pod. From the A-6, a specialized electronic warfare derivative, the EA-6, was developed.

Following the good showing of the propeller-driven AD-6/7 Skyraider in the Korean War, the United States Navy issued preliminary requirements in 1955 for an all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft. The U.S. Navy published an operational requirement document for it in October 1956. It released a request for proposals (RFP) in February 1957. Proposals were submitted by Bell, Boeing, Douglas, Grumman, Lockheed, Martin, North American, and Vought. Following evaluation of the bids, the U.S. Navy announced the selection of Grumman on 2 January 1958. The company was awarded a contract for the development of the A2F-1 in February 1958. The A-6's design team was led by Lawrence Mead, Jr. He later played a lead role in the design of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and the Lunar Excursion Module.