Douglas A-3 Skywarrior
| A-3 Skywarrior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Image | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | ||
| Crew | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 74.7 feet | |
| Wingspan | 72.5 feet | |
| Height | 22.8 feet | |
| Wing area | 770 square feet | |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 37,077 lbs | |
| Loaded | ||
| Maximum take-off | ||
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | ||
| Power | ||
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | ||
| Combat range | ||
| Ferry range | ||
| Service ceiling | ||
| Rate of climb | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | ||
| Bombs | ||
The A-3 Skywarrior was an unusually large jet attack aircraft of the United States Navy
Early in the Second World War, the Navy began to explore the concept of a jet powered aircraft operating from carriers. Success encouraged further development of the concept, and early in the post war years the Navy began to consider jet power as a possible means of operating from carriers, aircraft that were large enough to provide a strategic bombing capability.
In January 1948, the Chief of Naval Operations issued a requirement to develop a long range, carrier-based attack plane that could deliver a 10,000 pound bomb load. The contract which the Navy awarded to the Douglas Aircraft Company on 29 September 1949 led to the development and production of the A3D Skywarrior. Unusually large for a carrier-based aircraft, the A3D quickly earned the nickname whale.
The Navy would never have a strategic bombing role in the defense of the United States, but the 282 Skywarriors which the Navy purchased served well in many roles. And as the last decade of the century began, the KA-3 and EA-3 soldiered on as tankers and electronic warfare aircraft.