Grumman A-6 Intruder

The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined Douglas A-1 Skyraider.

In the early 1990s, the A-6E was upgraded to A-6F standard gaining new engines, avionics, and electronics after the NATF was cancelled. A specialized electronic warfare derivative, the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler (currently EA-6C Prowler), is also in service as of 2012. The A-6 is currently being replaced by the F-35C Lightning II.

Variants

 * YA2F-1/YA-6A: Pre-production aircraft, eight built with the first four with rotating jet exhaust pipes, redesignated YA-6A in 1962.
 * A2F-1/A-6A: First production variant with fixed tailpipe, 484 built, redesignated A-6A in 1962.
 * YA2F-1H/YEA-6A: Prototype electronic warfare variant, one modified from A2F-1, redesignated YEA-6A in 1962.
 * A2F-1H/EA-6A: Electronic warfare variant of the A2F-1 redesignated EA-6A in 1962. It had a redesigned fin and rudder and addition of an ECM radome, able to carry underwing ECM pods, three YA-6A and four A-6As converted and 21 built.
 * NA-6A: The redesignation of three YA-6As and three A-6As. The six aircraft were modified for special tests.
 * NEA-6A: One EA-6A aircraft was modified for special test purposes.
 * TA-6A: Proposed trainer variant with three-seat, not built.
 * A-6B: Variant fitted with avionics for the suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), 19 conversions from A-6A.
 * EA-6B: Electronic warfare variant of the A-6A with longer fuselage for four crew.
 * YEA-6B: The designation of two EA-6B prototypes, which were modified for special test purposes.
 * A-6C: A-6A conversion for low-level attack role with electro-optical sensors, twelve converted.
 * KA-6D: A-6A conversion for flight-refueling, 58 converted.
 * A-6E: A-6A with improved electronics.
 * A-6F Intruder II: Advanced version with updated electronics and General Electric F404 turbofans. 450 aircraft would be produced (of which all 205 new-build A-6Es would be converted to A-6F standard).
 * A-6G: Proposed cheaper alternative to the A-6F, with its advanced electronics, but existing J52 turbojets.
 * G-128-12: Unbuilt single-seat A-6 based design proposal for the VA(L) competition for A-4 Skyhawk replacement based on existing design. Contract ultimately awarded to the LTV A-7 Corsair II.

Users

 * Australia
 * Australian Defense Force
 * Royal Australian Navy
 * United States
 * United States Armed Forces
 * United States Marine Corps
 * United States Navy

Related Development

 * Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler

Comparable Aircraft

 * Blackburn Buccaneer
 * Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard
 * Sukhoi Su-17