Douglas A-3 Skywarrior - Knowledge (XXG)

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allowing their test fleets to continue to operate and saving the US Navy the cost of storage and disposal. As the plan matured, two other contractors, Thunderbird Aviation and CTAS also elected to participate in similar agreements, with eleven A-3s spread between the five operators. The fleet spares from ASO (Aviation Supply Office) were distributed between the contractors evenly, and warehouses were emptied all over the US. Due to misunderstandings and reorganizations within the US Navy, the worldwide ASO assets were scrapped, not getting to the contractors. In early 1993, CTAS decided that they no longer had use for their aircraft, and Hughes had several programs needing additional assets.

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proposal among other proposals that could only be deployed on even larger carriers not yet in service. As had been predicted by Heinemann early on, the Skywarrior had been designed to carry larger and bulkier bombs than it ever would in service due to the rapid improvements made in weapons technology. Despite this, at the Navy's insistence, the aircraft was qualified for an 'overload' payload capacity of 84,000 lb (38,000 kg), the testing of which would establish a weight-related record for carrier operations. Because of its cumbersome size, and less-than-slender profile, it was nicknamed "The Whale".

687: 664: 47: 2301: 608: 1560: 1467:(the former weapon bay) which lacked an equipment position for a second Electronic Countermeasures Officer or enlisted crewman. The "jump seat" was used by instructor ECMOs training new ECMOs, as well as by guest observers and passengers during operational flights. While the ERA-3B could withstand a cable-arrested landing, the ALT-40 and ALR-75 equipment was not stressed to withstand catapult launches, thus it was never deployed aboard carriers. The ERA-3B served with VAQ-33 and later with VAQ-34. 778: 1542: 1478: 2123: 2575: 527: 823: 279: 871: 1138: 930: 189:-capable strategic bomber. In July 1949, Douglas was awarded the contract to produce its design, having bested eight other aircraft companies' submissions. Unlike rival designs, which had aimed for a 100,000 lb (45,000 kg) maximum take-off weight, the Skywarrior was developed for a 68,000 lb (31,000 kg) take-off weight, facilitating its use from the navy's existing 2197: 2589: 1406:): 24 electronic warfare versions with pressurized compartment in former weapon bay for one Electronic Warfare Officer and three ESM operators, various sensors. Some early models had tail guns, but these were replaced with the ECM tail. It was assigned to fleet reconnaissance squadrons VQ-1 (Japan and later Guam) and VQ-2 (Rota. Spain) where they flew alongside the 1048:

difficulty in leaving the aircraft through the escape chute, leading to Ramey aiding the man and as a result remaining himself in the aircraft, losing his life in the subsequent in-air explosion and crash after maneuvering the aircraft towards an open area. AO1 Raymond Hite and AT1 Daniel Gerbis were mildly injured, and LCDR Robert Ramey died.

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dispensers (on the tail cone and aft fuselage) and four ram-air turbines (two per side) to power equipment located in the former bomb bay. Crew increased to four: pilot, navigator, crew chief, and Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) with one mostly unused "jumpseat" in the aft crew compartment

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Being the heaviest aircraft to take off from a carrier, the Skywarrior was prone to accidents. "Ultimately, of 283 Skywarriors of various models built, around 120 (42%) were destroyed or crippled in accidents and combat. In 67% of accidents, at least one crew member died." Of these losses, 7 were in

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January 25, 1987, Mediterranean Sea. An EA-3B low on fuel during a night landing impacted the top of the barricade of the USS Nimitz and went into the water. Killed were LT Stephen H. Batchelder (Intelligence Evaluator), LCDR Ronald R. Callander (Navigator), AT2 Richard A. Herzing, LT Alan A. Levine

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August 2, 1958, Western Pacific Ocean. The aircraft overran the flight deck. The arresting gear was set up for an A-10. The aircraft hit the water inverted, with the aircraft being recovered and struck at DM AFB. The canopy shattered, with the possibility of the pilot and BN seats being carried away

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July 6th, 1967, 1 nm south of NAS Sanford, Florida, USA. Aircraft was lost after a ground collision, killing LT Henry White, AQ1 Joseph Monaco, AT2 Eugene Seaman, and CDR Charles Carman. No incident report description was written officially. A newspaper article sent by AT2 Seaman's daughter on March

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ridiculed Heinemann's proposal as "making irresponsible claims". During this period, the USN and USAF were vigorous rivals, each seeking to maintain funding for its projects at the expense of the other in a time marked by drastically declining defense budgets; specifically, USAF officials frequently

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December 4th, 1958. Departed from NAS Sanford for FDR - Aircraft was lost over the Caribbean. The pilot was waved off on the first pass, and boltered on the second pass. The third pass led to the left wing striking the flight deck, and the cross deck pendant parting (Arresting wire breaking). All 3

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During the Vietnam War, the A-3 attack aircraft were modified to KA-3B tankers while some were modified into a multi-mission tanker variant, the EKA-3B, which was a real workhorse for the carrier air wing. Electronic jamming equipment was added without removing tanker capability so the EKA-3B could

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at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida furnished crews and flew out of Da Nang AB performing mapping and intelligence gathering flight over the Southeast Asia area. With 12 camera stations the RA-3B was well equipped to perform cartographic mapping of areas where no detail maps existed. With IR

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Considerable development problems, largely associated with the original J40 engines, had delayed the introduction of the Skywarrior until 31 March 1956. The A-3 was, by far, the largest and heaviest aircraft ever designed for routine use on an aircraft carrier, though ironically it was the smallest

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In late 1948, both Douglas and Curtiss-Wright were awarded preliminary design contracts to further develop and refine their proposals. While Douglas managed to maintain the take-off weight at 68,000 lb, Curtiss were unable to meet the more generous 100,000 lb target during this phase, and thus were

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led to this mission being deprioritized by the early 1960s. Throughout the majority of its later service life, the Skywarrior was tasked with various secondary missions which included use as an electronic warfare platform, tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and high-capacity aerial refueling tanker.

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In 1994, Westinghouse decided to terminate their agreement with the Navy, and Thunderbird added their aircraft to the Thunderbird bailment. In 1996, Thunderbird Aviation went into receivership, and Hughes, through mutual cost savings to the government, added the Thunderbird assets to the contract,

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also using the A-3 as a testbed. On the retirement of the type from US Navy service in 1991, the US Navy decided to end logistic support for the civilian operated testbeds. Rather than abandon the A-3, Hughes, Westinghouse and Raytheon agreed to acquire the remaining A-3s and spares from the Navy,

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June 19th, 1957, 2 nm east of Mayport, Florida, USA. Failure to lower port landing gear after carrier launch. The aircraft's crew were able to successfully bail out and be rescued. AQ1 Pascal Mazuc, CDR Clarence Frossard, and ENS Henry Demers were all moderately injured, with CDR Clarence Frossard

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May 14th, 1957, West of the coast of California, USA (36.30N, 122.35W). Ramp was struck following high attitude after a wave off signal. Fuselage broke at the empennage and main fuel cell was ruptured, leading to fire spreading as the aircraft fell off of the angle deck. CDR Thomas Boulton, LT JG

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flying a similar mission. The EA-3B carried a crew of seven, with flight crew of three in the cockpit and an Electronic Warfare Officer and three electronic systems operators/evaluators in the converted weapons bay. It offered unique electronic reconnaissance capabilities in numerous Cold War-era

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June 2nd, 1958, Seville, Florida, USA. - After an inflight fire caused mechanical issues, which sent the aircraft into a steep high speed dive from 42,000 feet (12,801 meters), LCDR Robert Ramey ordered crew to leave the aircraft through the overhead escape hatch. One crewmember was experiencing

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in the Vigilante's radar and navigation systems. The Skywarrior's strategic bombing role faded after 1964, briefly being complemented by the A3J Vigilante. Soon afterward, the Navy abandoned the concept of carrier-based strategic nuclear weaponry for the successful Polaris missile-equipped Fleet

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class was vulnerable to cancellation, proposed a significantly smaller aircraft of 68,000 lb (31,000 kg) loaded weight, capable of operating from the USN's existing carriers. Heinemann had reasoned (correctly) that as technology developed, the size and weight of nuclear weapons would

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engine proved to be incapable of meeting development schedules or performance promises; Heinemann later commented that "the first thing we learned was that the J40 was not powerful enough". Even prior to the first flight being conducted, Douglas was considering switching to rival manufacturer

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The early A-3 variants had a crew of three: pilot, bombardier/navigator (BN) and crewman/navigator (aka: third crewman). An unusual cockpit configuration was incorporated with the three crew sitting under a framed canopy. In the raised compartment, the pilot and bombardier/navigator sat in a

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that briefly equipped the original bomber version of the A3D/A-3A (removed and replaced by ECM equipment), sat behind the pilot in an aft-facing seat. The third crewman station had the sextant for celestial navigation and the defensive electronic counter measures equipment. Later electronic

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August 26th, 1959. A compressor stall in a thunderstorm led to the aircraft crashing 1nm ESE of E. Monobo, North Carolina, USA. AE2 Mitchell, PH1 D.E. Wilson both faced moderate injuries with LCDR John Sandster losing his life. VAH 1 CO recommended that ejection seats be installed in

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August 12th, 1957, west of the coast of California, USA (37.27N, 122.49W). Arresting gear and hook encountered a point failure, and the aircraft struck the water and was lost at sea. CPO E. Buscaglia and CDR Joseph Garrett were both rescued by a helo plane guard, and sustained minor

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would drop out, declaring that there was no means that the requirements could be met within the 100,000 lb weight limitation. Uncertainty over the performance and requirements of both engines and bombs were major contributing factors towards this climate of negativity.

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October 1, 1958, NAS Leeward Point, Guantanamo, Cuba. Landing gear was retracted during landing, with the aircraft managing to stop safely on the flight deck. The aircraft was repairable, and LT Horace Graham as well as AD3 Samuel Craw suffered minor to moderate

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sued the McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company for not providing ejection seats in the A-3.) In contrast, the US Air Force's B-66 Destroyer, not subject to the weight requirements for carrier operations, was equipped with ejection seats throughout its service life.

306:. Success encouraged further development of the concept; early in the post-war years, officials within the USN began to investigate the use of jet power as a potential means of operating larger carrier-based aircraft that would be capable of performing the 335:," which were significantly larger than the USN's existing carriers, thus the specification set a target loaded weight of 100,000 lb (45,000 kg). Additionally, the USN sought for this bomber to possess greater speed and range than its existing 1462:: Eight RA-3Bs converted as electronic aggressor aircraft (primarily for war-at sea exercises) with ECM gear in an extended tail cone and fairings, along with two detachable ram-air turbine powered ALQ-76 countermeasures pods (one under each wing), 741:, Guam. After Det B was disestablished, VQ-1 provided detachments of two EA-3B aircraft that deployed with Western Pacific and Indian Ocean (WESTPAC/IO) bound aircraft carrier battle groups up until the late 1980s when it was replaced by the 1035:

January 28, 1958, Edwards AFB. Aircraft collided with the ground 10 miles west of Barstow, California, USA, with the cause remaining unknown. Aircraft was entirely lost. Dale Benethum and Thomas Kilgariff, both civilians, were killed in the

1456:: 34 KA-3B tankers refitted for dual Electronic countermeasures (ECM)/tanker role, with electronic warfare equipment and tail fairing in place of rear turret. Most were converted back to KA-3B configuration (with no ECM gear) after 1975. 1261:, California. These aircraft have participated in several military air shows, telling visitors that the plane continued to be valuable for its load capacity compared to corporate jets, and its performance compared to small airliners. 650:(later A-5A) in the nuclear heavy attack mission, followed by conversion to the RA-5C and transition to the reconnaissance attack mission. The Vigilante wing would also continue to retain a small number of TA-3B aircraft for training 1041:

February 7th, 1958, North Atlantic Ocean (31.10N. 40.27W.). Aircraft collided with the water and was lost at sea, with fuel contamination being the likely cause. ENS Robert Martin, LT James Chaffee, and AD3 Richard Fraveau were all

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reconnaissance variants could accommodate a crew of seven with the flight crew consisting of a pilot, co-pilot and navigator plus four electronic systems operators occupying stations in the former bomb bay in the spacious fuselage.

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Skywarriors saw some use in the conventional bombing and mine-laying role (A-3B) during the Vietnam War from 1964 through 1967, often to deliver Mk84 2,000 pounds (910 kg) bombs. The A-3 found subsequent service in the

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tanker, which although it had less capacity and endurance, was deployed in greater numbers within the carrier's air wing. Two additional Naval Reserve units were established in the early 1970s as air refueling squadrons,

447:, this initial test flight was carried out with a high degree of secrecy. Early on, the aircraft was found to handle particularly well in flight, in part due to the attention Heinemann and the design team had paid to the 983:

February 9th, 1957, Mayport, Florida, USA. Aircraft lost after ground collision as a result of fuel starvation. LCDR Lewis Pollock was killed and AD2 Pasquale Del Villaggio as well as ENS Henry Demers were moderately

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were hydraulic, and for storage below deck, the A-3's wings folded outboard of the engines, lying almost flat, and its vertical stabilizer was hinged to starboard. Capacious internal fuel tanks provided long range.

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August 19th, 1957, near Port Lyautey. Aircraft overshot barricade and was lost at sea. AD1 Frank Morey and LT JG John Quinn were both killed, while AQ1 James Babba and LCDR Thomas McLenaghan were both moderately

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September 26, 1957, Norwegian Sea (66.44N, 05.16E). Aircraft encountered ramp strike, with main mounts on the A-3 breaking on impact. LTJG Joseph Juricic, CDR Paul Wilson JR, and ADC Percy Schafer were all

642:, Florida. The wing at NAS Whidbey Island would disestablish in 1959 but the squadrons which had made up the wing would later transition to the EKA-3B variant, eventually forming the nucleus for the Navy's 559:

The documented history of mechanical failures in the A3D/A-3 showed a rate well above average. Originally, the Skywarrior bombers were assigned to all attack carriers, which included the World War II-era

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January 6, 1958, West Philippine Sea (14.15N 114.3E). Aircraft failed to take off successfully after carrier launch. AMC Darrell Weekley, LT JG Clyde Romerson, and LCDR Jack Loper were all killed.

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In December 1996, Raytheon bought the aerospace units of Hughes Aircraft Company. Hughes Aeronautical Operations, now a part of Raytheon Systems, continued to operate the A-3s from their base at

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model could readily swing between performing strike, refuelling, and electronic warfare duties as required. Numerous other models of the type were developed, leading to the type being used for

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Ballistic Missile submarine program and all A-5As were converted to the RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance variant. Many A-3Bs were converted to a combination tanker-electronic warfare aircraft.

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side-by-side arrangement with the pilot's station on the port side having full flight controls. On initial variants, a third crew member, who also acted as a gunner for the twin tail-mounted

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had used the intended Westinghouse J40, a powerplant that proved to be disastrous and was subsequently canceled. The turbojets could be supplemented by a provision for twelve 4,500

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in history, having entered service during the mid-1950s and withdrawn from use in 1991. Throughout its service, the Skywarrior was the heaviest operational aircraft to operate from an

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On 30 June 2011, the last flyable EA-3B, BuNo 144865 / FAA registration N875RS, a Raytheon aircraft, arrived at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida for retirement and display at the

1242:, Arizona and grafted onto the front of the aircraft. Racks and equipment were installed in the cabin, and the aircraft was used by Hughes and the USAF for F-15 software development. 1374:): Definitive production bomber version, with stronger airframe, more powerful engines, slightly larger wing area (812 ft/75 m versus 779 ft/72 m), provision for 1119:

January 13, 1988, at Pyramid Lake northeast of Reno, Nevada. A KA-3B impacted the lake while flying in the late afternoon on a low-level mission. All three crew onboard were killed.

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during the design process for the Skywarrior, based on the assumption that most flights would be at high altitude. A similar arrangement with an escape tunnel had been used on the

814:, California. Both units operated aircraft with electronic warfare equipment removed and were redesignated as KA-3Bs. VAK-208 and VAK-308 were decommissioned in the early 1990s. 626:, the A-3 was the Navy's critical element in the U.S. nuclear deterrent. Squadrons were established in two Heavy Attack Wings (HATWINGs), with one wing initially established at 466:; however, its high weight clearance and size meant that the aircraft would be useful in various other capacities. Accordingly, large numbers of Skywarriors were retrofitted as 590:-operated tail turret designed by Westinghouse, soon removed in favor of electronic countermeasure equipment. Although some bombing missions would be carried out early in the 3762: 893:. The Skywarrior was withdrawn from USN service during September 1991, the last examples of the type being retired on 27 September 1991. U.S. Navy RDT&E units, notably 1251: 3386: 3273: 1002:

1st, 2012 stated that the aircraft was participating in night training landings, and was practicing mirror landings on aircraft carriers around the time of the incident.

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mission. The USN had a growing awareness that it could operate in a broader role than had been previously possible, and that the strategic bomber fleet operated by the

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gear installed, the RA-3B was used at night to monitor the movement of troops down roads and trails in Laos. Other locations included Det Tango at

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issued a requirement to develop a long-range, carrier-based attack plane that could deliver either a 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) bomb load or a

3755: 1155: 947: 1496:: Two EA-3B converted as VIP transports. Both aircraft were assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations flying from Andrews AFB in Washington, DC. 916:, as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare and a former A-3 bombardier/navigator himself, made the final decision to retire the type. 3456: 1396:

allowed camera operator to enter the bay to check the cameras. Some retained tail guns, but most were later converted to ECM tail of late A-3Bs.

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The Skywarrior is one of only three U.S. Navy attack aircraft to enter service in the strategic bomber role. The first was its predecessor, the

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initially supplanted the A-3 in the strategic bomber role (1961-1963) but was then converted to the tactical strike reconnaissance role.

392:. During July 1949, the USN, recognizing the suitability of Douglas' design, awarded a contract for the production of two flight-capable 1054:

at impact. LCDR Alfred McMillian and LT Gordon Gilmore were both killed in the accident, with AQ1 experiencing somewhat severe injuries.

758: 3148: 385:-class carriers cancelled; this outcome validated Heinemann's decision to focus on a design that could operate from the navy's smaller 5235: 5228: 4728: 3871: 3748: 3694: 4713: 1382:

role. Final 21 built had new AN/ASB-7 bombing system, reshaped nose; deleted tail turret in favor of electronic warfare installation.

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In early 1994, a US Air Force program decided to modify an A-3 for F-15 radar tests, and the only available airframe was stored at

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July 22nd, 1957, The Mediterranean Sea. ADJ 1 Samuel Hollander was crushed and killed by closing bomb bay doors on the flight deck.

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crew members were rescued by helos. AD1 Clyde Savage, LCDR Richard Andrus, and AD2 Eugene Kronjaeger all faced moderate injuries.

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harbor. This was known as VQ-1 Det.B. The aircrew and ground support personnel were temporarily assigned from their home base at

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substantially decrease, which increased the rationale for designing a more compact bomber. However, figures such as USAF general

31: 551:. Aircrews began joking morbidly that "A3D" stood for "All Three Dead". (In 1973, the widow of a Skywarrior crewman killed over 5273: 5131: 3383: 3281: 3068: 3058:

In 1958 a Skywarrior set the record for the heaviest catapult takeoff weighing a massive 42 tons catapulting from the Saratoga.

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June 26, 1987, NAS Miramar, California. An EA-3B crashed while conducting carrier landing practice. All three onboard perished.

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The U.S. Air Force ordered 294 examples of the derivative B-66 Destroyer, most of which were used in the reconnaissance and

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jam enemy radar while waiting to refuel tactical aircraft. Eventually, the EKA-3B was replaced by the smaller dedicated

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In addition, a version of the A-3B was modified into the RA-3B and used in Vietnam as a photo reconnaissance aircraft.

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The A-3 had been used as a civilian operated testbed for many years before the type's retirement from US Navy, with

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based at Naval Air Station (later RVAH-3, now decommissioned); Replacement Air Group / Fleet Replacement Squadron

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By the end of the 1950s, it was becoming clear that the nuclear mission of the Skywarrior would be passed onto

340: 336: 247: 178: 85: 1821:, later VFP-63, based at Naval Air Station Miramar flying five A3D-2P Skywarriors and twenty F8U-1P Crusaders 5223: 5208: 4971: 4931: 4671: 4643: 4003: 3998: 3922: 2629: 2300: 2280: 2084: 1191: 838: 607: 311: 262: 3226: 2857: 4956: 4886: 4441: 4409: 4327: 4322: 4282: 4008: 3902: 2474: 2000: 1938: 1842: 1323: 827: 798: 429: 232: 208: 158: 80: 3189: 3114:"Aircraft N875RS (1960 Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior C/N 12111) Photo by Sergey Ryabtsev (Photo ID: AC955931)" 725:

in South Vietnam, providing continuous electronic reconnaissance capability over the area, including the

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Efforts to reduce weight to make the aircraft suitable for carrier operations had led to the deletion of

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fleet. A total of eight aircraft manufacturers produced responses to the specification, but all except

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Not assigned • Unofficial designation • Assigned to multiple types

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in 1957. VAH-3 became the A3D/A-3 Replacement Air Group (RAG) squadron for the Atlantic Fleet in 1958.

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A3D-2Q (EA-3B Bu#146453) on display at the Vintage Flying Museum, Meacham Field, Fort Worth, Texas.

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144825 – A-3 Skywarrior Whidbey Memorial Foundation, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

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since the fleet shutdown. Hughes added that aircraft to the bailment, and ferried the aircraft to

1109:(Pilot), CTI3 Patrick R. Price, LT James D. Richards (Junior Evaluator), and CTI3 Craig H. Rudolf. 5058: 4861: 4702: 4697: 4556: 4180: 4133: 4067: 4057: 4050: 4035: 3912: 3837: 3806: 3796: 3241: 2041: 1546: 1530: 1437: 711: 471: 412: 295: 182: 103: 578:, which in later versions was used for sensor and camera equipment or additional fuel tanks. An 432:

engine, which was heavier, but allowed the overall aircraft to be lighter as it used less fuel.

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