91-02 A-7 Corsair II The A-7 Corsair II is a subsonic, single-engine, attack aircraft operated by the Air National Guard. The aircraft features high-altitude maneuverability under various weapon loads. It can loiter for up to two hours and is capable of extended range with external fuel tanks or by in-flight refueling. Background The A-7 Corsair II was developed to meet Navy requirements for a carrier-based, light attack aircraft able to carry more weapons than the earlier A-4E Skyhawk. To keep costs down and speed delivery, the A-7 design was based on the F-8 Crusader. The A-7A flew for the first time in September 1965. Since then, other versions of the A-7 Corsair II have been produced for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, and the Greek and Portuguese air forces. The A-7D model, developed for the U.S. Air Force, was accepted in December 1968. Designed primarily for an air-to-surface attack role, its weapons delivery accuracy, extended range, ordnance payload and responsiveness also meet requirements for close air support and air interdiction missions. Production of 459 A-7D's was completed in December 1976. The first operational unit to be equipped with the A-7D was the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing. The wing was sent to Southeast Asia, and the aircraft first entered combat in the Vietnam War in October 1972. It demonstrated outstanding target kill capability. Deliveries of the A-7D to Air National Guard squadrons began in 1973; final deliveries were made in 1981. Guard units also operate a combat-capable, two-seat training version of the A-7 -- the A-7K. A-7K's were delivered to the Guard from 1979 to 1981. Description/Capabilities The A-7D has tricycle-type landing gear with a single wheel on each main unit and a twin-wheel nose unit. An air-conditioning unit, using engine bleed air, provides pressurization and cooling for electronic systems. The aircraft's ejection system consists of a McDonnell Douglas Escapac, a rocket-powered ejection seat with a life support system, which provides a fully deployed parachute three seconds after ejection is initiated. The A-7D has automatic flight controls and electronic countermeasures systems. Internal fuel capacity of the A-7D is 1,425 gallons and up to four additional wing tanks can be added to carry an additional 1,200 gallons. All fuselage fuel tanks contain polyurethane fire-suppressing foam, and some fuel lines are self-sealing. The in-flight refueling system uses a boom receptacle. Continuous-solution computer cues for navigation and weapons delivery systems, including marginal weather bomb delivery, give this aircraft outstanding attack capability. The A-7D can carry a wide range of conventional ordnance weighing more than 15,000 pounds on six underwing pylons. Two fuselage weapon stations also can be carried. Weapons include air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, general-purpose bombs, rockets and gun pods. An M-61A1 Vulcan 20mm cannon is mounted in the port side of the fuselage. This multibarrel gun can be fired at rates of 4,000 or 6,000 rounds per minute. Seventy A-7D's and eight A-7K's are currently operational with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) equipment and terrain-following flight control systems. The aircraft are used for the Low Altitude Night Attack (LANA) mission. Specifications Primary Function: Interdiction, close-air support. Prime Contractor: Vought Corp., LTV Aerospace Corp. Power Plant/Manufacturer: One turbofan engine; first two, A-7D's Pratt and Whitney TF30-P-8; remainder, Allison TF41-A-1. Thrust: 13,390 lb. Speed: 698 mph maximum speed at sea level. Dimensions: Wingspan 38 ft. 9 in.; length 45 ft. 7 in.; height 16 ft. 3/4 in. Range: 2,871 miles with maximum internal fuel and external fuel tanks. Armament: One 20mm multibarrel Gatling gun; up to 15,000 lb. of air-to-air (Sidewinder) or air-to-surface missiles, bombs, rockets or gun pods on six underwing and two fuselage attachments. Maximum takeoff weight: 42,000 lb. Status: Operational. April 1991 Supersedes USAF Fact Sheet 87-48 Local Reproduction Authorized