In the annals of military aviation, certain aircraft carve out reputations that far exceed their initial expectations. One such aircraft is the Vought A-7 Corsair II, which despite its lack of supersonic speed, became an indispensable part of the U.S. Navy’s strike capabilities during the Vietnam War and beyond. Celebrated for its reliability, range, payload, and cost-effectiveness, the Corsair II’s unique attributes and noteworthy combat performance cemented its place in the hearts of aviators—a “cult status” borne from a tumultuous time in history.
The A-7 was developed in the early 1960s to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Its design was based on the Vought F-8 Crusader; compared to the F-8, the A-7 is smaller and limited to subsonic speeds, making its airframe simpler and more cost-effective. Vought won a contract from the United States Navy (USN) in response to the VAL (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) requirement, leading to the issuance of an initial contract for the A-7 on 8 February 1964. Development progressed quickly, with the first flight taking place on 26 September 1965 and the aircraft entering squadron service with the USN on 1 February 1967. By the end of that year, A-7s were already being deployed overseas for the Vietnam War.
Initially introduced by the USN, the A-7 garnered interest from other branches of the military, eventually being adopted by the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Air National Guard (ANG) to replace their aging Douglas A-1 Skyraider and North American F-100 Super Sabre fleets. Successive models of the A-7 were developed, featuring more powerful engines and advanced avionics. American A-7s saw action in various significant conflicts, including the Invasion of Grenada, Operation El Dorado Canyon, and the Gulf War. The aircraft was also instrumental in supporting the development of the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk.
During the 1970s, Greece and, later, Portugal acquired the A-7. The USAF and USN retired their remaining A-7s in 1991, followed by the ANG in 1993 and the Portuguese Air Force in 1999. The A-7 was gradually replaced by newer fighter aircraft like the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. The Hellenic Air Force, the final operator of the A-7, phased out the last of these aircraft in 2014.
In 1960, the United States Navy (USN) officials initiated discussions regarding the replacement of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, a light attack aircraft in service. It was uncertain at that time that the A-4 would continue production until 1979. Some believed that there was a need for a more advanced attack platform capable of supersonic speeds, carrying heavier payloads, and flying longer distances. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara was among those advocating for a new attack aircraft.
The Sea-Based Air Strike Forces (SBASF) study group began evaluating performance and cost details in December 1962. They examined 144 hypothetical aircraft to support their conclusions. The studies revealed that a subsonic aircraft would offer better performance than a supersonic one. By focusing on subsonic speeds, the airframe could be smaller, cheaper, and easier to produce, allowing for larger quantities to be acquired. Development speed was also enhanced by sticking to subsonic capabilities, providing an advantage. Emphasis was placed on precise weapon delivery to reduce munitions costs per target.
On 17 May 1963, the draft requirement known as VAL (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) was formulated based on these criteria. The request for proposals (RFP) associated with the requirement was issued on 29 May 1963. To control costs, all proposals had to be based on existing designs. Vought, Douglas Aircraft, Grumman, and North American Aviation opted to submit proposals.
The Vought proposal, inspired by their successful F-8 Crusader fighter, featured a similar configuration but had a shorter airframe with a rounded nose, resulting in a more compact appearance.
In 1965, the A-7 was officially named Corsair II, paying homage to Vought’s previous Corsair aircraft. The name was chosen to establish a connection between the new aircraft and its predecessors, all intended for the ground attack role. The first A-7A took its maiden flight on 27 September 1965. Vought publicly showcased the aircraft on 2 November 1965, demonstrating its impressive capabilities to carry a substantial bombload over long distances.
The A-7 boasted more advanced avionics and systems compared to other contemporary aircraft. One of its key features was the data link capabilities, which included the ability to perform “hands-off” carrier landings when used in conjunction with its approach power compensator (APC) or auto throttle. Another notable piece of equipment was the projected map display located just below the radar scope. This display was synchronized with the inertial navigation system, providing a detailed map image of the aircraft’s position overlaid on TPC/JNC charts. Additionally, when connected to the all-axis auto pilot, the inertial navigation system could guide the aircraft “hands off” to up to nine different waypoints.
Outstanding characteristics such as superior flying capabilities, rugged survivability, and cutting-edge avionics, including the first heads-up display in a U.S. aircraft, contributed to the Corsair II’s reputation. Its range and payload capacity outperformed the competition, with an operational combat range of over 1,200 miles and a bomb-carrying capacity of up to 15,000 lbs.
The A-7’s engine efficiency also represented a leap forward in operational cost savings. Compared to the fuel consumption of its contemporaries, the A-7D showcased remarkable fuel efficiency, which contributed significantly to its range capabilities and overall operational success.
The Corsair II’s service life spanned an impressive 25 years, participating in conflicts from Vietnam to Operation Desert Storm. Even after the U.S. Navy retired the A-7, it continued to serve with the air forces of Portugal and Greece until the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Relevant articles:
– A-7 Corsair II: Vietnam’s non-supersonic workhorse, Airborne ECS
– A-7 Corsair II: Vietnam’s non-supersonic workhorse, Airborne ECS
– Vought F4U Corsair, nationalww2museum.org
– 7E Corsair II, navy.mil