North American A-5 Vigilante
Summary
| Category | Combat aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| First flight | 31 August 1958 |
| Year of introduction | 1961 |
| Number produced | 167 units |
| Average unit price | $4 million |
Description
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a supersonic, carrier-based, strike aircraft primarily developed for the United States Navy during the Cold War era. It was designed as a high-speed, long-range bomber capable of delivering a nuclear payload, along with performing reconnaissance missions. The aircraft featured a two-seat configuration, with the pilot and bombardier-navigator sitting in tandem. The A-5 Vigilante possessed a distinctive appearance, characterized by its slender fuselage, large wing area, delta wing design, and variable geometry wingtips. It was deployed from aircraft carriers to serve as a versatile asset for both strategic strike and tactical reconnaissance operations.
Technical specifications
| Version: North American | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot + 1 radar operator |
| Operational range | 3300 km (2051 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 2123 km/h (1319 mph) |
| Wing area | 65.1 m² (700.7 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 16.2 m (53.0 ft) |
| Height | 5.9 m (19.4 ft) |
| Length | 23.3 m (76.5 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 15880 m (52100 ft) |
| Empty weight | 14870 kg (32783 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 28615 kg (63085 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 40.6 m/s (133.2 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbojets General Electric J79-GE-8 delivering 4893 kgp, up to 7747 kgp with afterburner |
| Ejection seat | North American HS-1A |
Current operating countries
No country is operating the A-5 Vigilante in 2024.
All operators
Armament
Bombs payload:
- Thermonuclear B28 (脡U : Mk 28)
- Thermonuclear B43 Mod 1
- Nuclear California R.L. Mark 27
- Low-Drag Mk 83
- Low-Drag Mk 84
Photo of A-5 Vigilante
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