North American A-5 Vigilante Nuclear Attack Bomber (2024)

Nuclear Attack Bomber / Reconnaissance Platform

United States | 1961

"Originally developed along the lines of a nuclear-capable attack bomber, the North American A-5 Vigilante suffered in the low-level reconnaissance role over Vietnam."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/28/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Firepower

Performance

Survivability

Versatility

Impact

The aviation concern of North American became a household name in American military aviation thanks to its World War 2 contributions through the P-51 "Mustang" fighter and B-25 "Mitchell" medium bomber lines. The company struck gold once more in the Korean War with its F-86 "Sabre" jet fighter - the war serving to showcase the first jet-versus-jet duels in military history. Throughout the 1950s, the company moved on several notable programs including its X-15 rocket-powered research aircraft and the impressive, yet cancelled, XB-70 "Valkyrie" supersonic bomber. The XF-108 "Rapier" was a proposed interceptor design that, at one point, was considered as an escort fighter for the XB-70. Both the XB-70 and XF-108 endeavors failed in netting any serial production commitments though the XB-70 went on to see extended flying time in the research role.

The XF-108 interested the USAF for its interception capabilities which required a very fast aircraft with a high rate-of-climb to meet the threat of incoming Soviet bombers. When the program was cancelled, North American reconstituted the aircraft's fuselage, its systems, and weapons suite into a new form to interest the United States Navy as a carrier-based, supersonic, nuclear-capable strike bomber. North American began preliminary design study work on such an aircraft as early as 1953 under a private company initiative.

While the XF-108 retained many design qualities of its bigger counterpart - the XB-70 - that made it appear cutting edge by 1950s standards, the new North American strike bomber revealed smoother lines more consistent with military aircraft emerging from the 1960s. It was a large, heavy aircraft with excellent performance for its time. The double-delta wings featured in the XF-108 gave way to a more traditional forward mainplane and rear-set horizontal tailplane arrangement with swept angles for aerodynamic efficiency at high speeds. Twin intakes were used to aspirate two engines, the pairing providing the necessary power while also increasing survivability over vast ocean spaces and enemy territory. The crew numbered two and were seated in tandem - the pilot at front with the bombardier / navigator in the rear (both positions featured ejection seats). The undercarriage was of a traditional tricycle approach and each leg wholly retractable into the body of the aircraft. A single vertical tail fin (an all-moving surface) was affixed to the extreme aft end of the fuselage and set above and between engine housings. A unique internal bomb bay delivery system (detailed below) was implemented as was an early-form of Fly-by-Wire (FBW) and Head-Up Display (HUD). At the heart of the aircraft was an advanced navigation / attack computer through the AN/ASB-12 system.

North American was handed a development contract in late August of 1956 and, a little over two years later, prototype "XA3J-1" made its maiden flight on August 31st, 1958. A second prototype was later added to the stable.

As a supersonic nuclear bomber, the aircraft featured a novel internal bomb bay release system essentially made up of a tube filling the space found between the two engine installations. This bay served a single nuclear bomb. The bomb was inserted into this bay followed by two disposable fuel tanks and all three were capped by the aircraft's tail cone assembly. When the bomb was to be released, the tail cone was jettisoned and the fuel tanks cleared the aircraft followed by the nuclear payload. In this way, the aircraft was free to deliver the armament at high speed which reduced its exposure to enemy fire and interception. An internal bomb bay also decreased overall drag as opposed to externally-held ordnance. Two external hardpoints were fitted though these became reserve stations for extra fuel stores.

After the requisite flight testing and formal evaluation phases were completed, the aircraft was accepted by the USN as the A3J-1 "Vigilante". Production models would be recognized as A3J-1A and the vehicle became the first (and only) Mach 2-capable attack bomber to serve the branch. The first squadron to equip with the type was VAH-3 during June of 1961 and the aircraft was used to succeed the aging Douglas A-3 "Skywarrior" line in the carrier-based strike role. During 1962, the U.S. military adopted an all new naming scheme for its aircraft which revised the A3J-1 designation to become "A-5". As such, the early A3J-1A models became "A-5A".

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Once in service, the complex A-5 showcased issues which limited its success - such was the price for the technology in play. It was an expensive aircraft that held a rigorous maintenance schedule and its large size limited storage space on already space-strapped American carriers. In time, and with further exposure to their new aircraft, crews began to paint a more favorable opinion of their attack bombers - they proved fast and agile for their dimensions and weight and there was much love for the power inherent in two J79 afterburning turbojets.

A-5A was fielded with 2 x General Electric J79-GE-8 series engines which provided the airframe with 10,900 lbf of thrust (each) on dry and 17,000 lbf of thrust (each) with afterburner engaged. Afterburner involved raw fuel being pumped into the jet exhaust creating a short burst of speed at the expense of higher fuel consumption. The A-5A held a maximum speed of Mach 2.0 (1,320 mph) at 40,000 feet and showcased a ferry range of 1,807 miles with a combat radius of 1,290 miles. Rate-of-climb was 8,000 feet per minute.

The nuclear payload ultimately cleared for use by the A-5 included the Mk 27, B28, and B43 series of free-fall nuclear bombs. A conventional loads could also be carried on the two external hardpoints though this was a seldom used feature of the aircraft throughout its service career.

Ten Vigilante squadrons were formed during the life of the aircraft. The original A-model was followed by the revised "A3J-2" which became the "A-5B" after the 1962 restructuring. Fifty-seven A-5A aircraft were eventually produced along with twenty A-5B models. The B-models were given extended operational ranges by way of new internal fuel stores and two additional external hardpoints (four total now). The internal tanks forced a noticeable "hump" along the dorsal fuselage spine which easily identified the updated models in service. B-models also included leading edge blown flaps and reinforced undercarriage members.

Fortunes for the A-5 (and other aircraft) changed when the need for high-flying, high-speed penetration nuclear bombers was losing ground in the minds of American warplanners particularly as Soviet air defenses improved and the worldwide focus shifted to InterContinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) as the primary means of nuclear weapons delivery. Land-based launchers were now joined by submarines equipped to launch ICBMs from underwater locations from anywhere in the world leading many to believe that such aircraft as the A-5 held little value moving forward. This shift led to the A-5's reduced purchase total of just 156 aircraft. The initial production batch appeared from 1956 to 1963.

With its reduced mission role, the A-5 was reconsidered as a fast reconnaissance platform which begat the "RA-5C" designation ("A3J-3P" before 1962). The revised aircraft emerged through 91 new-build airframes, 43 converted A-5A models and 6 converted A-5B models. RA-5C aircraft differed some from their attack bomber origins in that the featured increase wing areas and a "multi-sensor" reconnaissance pack fitted under the fuselage. The installation gave the aircraft a Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) capability as well as increased countermeasures support, ELectronic Intelligence (ELINT) support, InfraRed (IR), and various camera systems. Heavier than its original production forms, the RA-5C lost some of its performance value but retained its ordnance-carrying capabilities as well as its two crew.

Eight of the ten established A-5 squadrons were pressed into combat service during the Vietnam War (1955-1975) where they began their service tenure in August of 1964 in the reconnaissance role. Speed and agility were key assets to the aircraft though the low-to-medium altitude operation environments made the A-5 susceptible to ground-based threats and interception. Eighteen RA-5Cs fell to enemy action during the war with a further nine lost to accidents. These heavy losses forced A-5 production lines to reopen and 36 more aircraft were added to existing stocks from the span of 1968 to 1970. While its wartime service record is considered rather poor, the aircraft was heavily relied upon by war planners in a fighting environment it was never intended for.

With the end of the war, the A-5 series became one of the victims of the post-war drawdown and flew its last flight during November of 1979 - bringing an end to its service tenure. Its lack-luster combat record and expensive maintenance schedule did little to extend the career of this once-proud design. Its service as an attack aircraft was overshadowed by its time aloft as a reconnaissance platform and both of these roles were quickly taken over by more modern, compact, and lower-cost options - officially ending the reign of the A-5 Vigilante.

The A-5 aircraft was briefly considered for the USAF's proposed Improved Manned Interceptor (IMI) program as the NR-349. This version was to fit three General Electric J79 engines and hold 6 x AIM-54 "Phoenix" long-range air-to-air missiles as its primary armament. The initiative ultimately fell to naught.

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co*ckpit
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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the North American A-5A Vigilante Nuclear Attack Bomber / Reconnaissance Platform.

2 x General Electric J79-GE-8 turbojets with afterburner developing 17,000 lb of thrust.
Propulsion

1,319 mph
2,123 kph | 1,146 kts
Max Speed

52,100 ft
15,880 m | 10 miles
Service Ceiling

1,289 miles
2,075 km | 1,120 nm
Operational Range

8,000 ft/min
2,438 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

A-5 "Vigilante" - Base Series Name
XA3J-1 - Prototype model; two completed with one later to serve as an RA-5C variant.
A3J-1 (A-5A) - Initial Production Model; 57 produced with 42 later converted to the RA-5C standard.
A3J-2 (A-5B) - Updated A3J-1; additional internal fuel stores (producing the fuselage "hump"); two additional hardpoints added and plumbed for fuel delivery.
XA3J-3P (YA-5C) - Four A3J-2 models stripped of reconnaissance gear and reserved for pilot training; later revised to RA-5C standard.
A3J-3P (RA-5C) - Reconnaissance Variant; 91 new-build aircarft joined by 43 coverted A-models and 6 converted A-5B models; increased wing area; under-fuselage reconnaissance equipment pack.
NR-349 - Proposed A-5 variant to serve the USAF Improved Mann Interceptor (IMI) program; to fit 3 x GE J79 turbojet engines and be armed with 6 x AIM-54 Phoenix AAMs.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the North American A-5 Vigilante. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 156 Units
Contractor(s): North American Aviation - USA

[ United States ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 1400mph

Lo: 700mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (1,319mph).

Graph Average of 1,050 MPH.

Aviation Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

Production Comparison

156

36183

44000

Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

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Low-angled left front side view of a North American RA-5C Vigilante at rest; color

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Front left side view of a North American RA-5C Vigilante in flight; color

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Right side view of a banking North American RA-5C Vigilante in flight; color

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Front right side view of a North American RA-5C Vigilante in flight; color

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High-angled front view of the North American RA-5C Vigilante; color

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A North American RA-5C Vigilante takes off from USS America; color

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A North American RA-5C Vigilante sits in the forground

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A North American RA-5C Vigilante comes in for a landing aboard USS Saratoga

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High left side view of the North American A-5A Vigilante at rest; color

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Front right side view of a North American A-5A Vigilante at rest; color

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Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.

GROUND ATTACK

RECONNAISSANCE

Going Further...
The North American A-5 Vigilante Nuclear Attack Bomber / Reconnaissance Platform appears in the following collections:

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