Grumman A-6 Intruder


The Navy's experience with jet aircraft in the Korean conflict led to a requirement for a low-level attack bomber that could deliver ordnance against moving and fixed sea and land targets in all-weather and darkness. It was to be subsonic and capable of delivering nuclear as well as conventional ordnance thus being useful in both nuclear retaliatory and conventional conflicts. The Chief of Naval Operations issued the operational requirement (CA-01504) for this aircraft on 2 October 1956. On 5 March 1957 the Navy announced its intention to conduct a design competition for an aircraft that would meet the operational requirement. Eight manufacturers submitted eleven designs to this competition. The Navy selected the Grumman design. The aircraft that Grumman produced was a swept-wing two-place plane with exceptional loitering ability that could fly under enemy radar and carry greater and more varied stores than any naval attack aircraft of its time. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney J-52 P-6 turbojet engines each with 8,500 pounds of thrust. The Intruder made its first flight 19 April 1960 as the A2F-1, a designation that became A-6A in the Department of Defense's uniform designation system.

First contract26 March 1959
First flight19 April 1960
First reported in squadron February 1963 (A-6A in VA-42)
Initial operating capability February 1963
Number accepted687

Model Designations Accepted from the Manufacturer (New Builds)



A-6E Intruder

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