The North American A-5 Vigilante was an ambitious and complex aircraft designed and built by North American Aviation for the United States Navy. Its development started in 1954, as a private venture, and its first flight was performed on 31 August 1958. The aircraft was large and incorporated several innovative features, such as being the first bomber to feature a digital computer, and its ability to attain speeds of up to Mach 2 while carrying a nuclear strike payload was relatively ambitious for the era.
The Vigilante was introduced by the US Navy during June 1961, succeeding the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior as the Navy's primary nuclear strike aircraft. However, its service in this capacity was relatively brief due to the deemphasizing of manned bombers in American nuclear strategy. Instead, a larger quantity of the RA-5C tactical strike reconnaissance variant were procured by the service, which saw extensive service during the Vietnam War.
The Vigilante was a pioneer in many aspects of aviation, breaking several world records in both long-distance speed and altitude categories. Its design was ahead of its time and incorporated many cutting-edge technologies that are still in use today. Despite its achievements, the aircraft was expensive and complex to operate, and it was eventually withdrawn from service in November 1979 after a relatively short service life, mainly due to post-Vietnam military cutbacks.
The A-5 Vigilante was an icon of the Cold War-era and an impressive engineering feat. It was a supersonic bomber that incorporated many innovative features and played a significant role in American aviation history. While its service life was relatively short, its legacy lives on, and its impact on aviation technology cannot be underestimated. The A-5 Vigilante may have been retired, but its spirit lives on in the countless innovations and achievements it inspired.
Development
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a carrier-based, long-range, all-weather strike bomber developed by North American Aviation (NAA) in the mid-1950s. The design was highly ambitious as it sought to create a nuclear-armed aircraft capable of speeds of up to Mach 2 that could operate within the constraints of aircraft carrier operations. NAA's design incorporated advanced technology features, such as a slim forward fuselage and fully-variable wedge-type side air intakes, making it the first supersonic bomber of its kind.
Initially known as the North American General Purpose Attack Weapon (NAGPAW) concept, the US Navy evaluated the proposal and challenged NAA's design team with numerous demands, including the ability to take off from an aircraft carrier at maximum weight with no headwind. Compton's team reconciled these requirements into the design, which was approved by US Navy officials. An initial design contract was issued in July 1955, which included the production of a mockup. A follow-on contract for the production of a pair of flight-worthy prototypes was awarded to the firm in September 1956.
One of these prototypes performed the type's maiden flight from Columbus, Ohio, on 31 August 1958. However, by this point, the role envisioned for the aircraft had shifted somewhat. Originally viewed as a conventionally-armed attack bomber, it was ultimately viewed as a successor to the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior in the strategic nuclear attack role. To accommodate this change, an unorthodox bomb bay was implemented to carry nuclear weapons and other payloads.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, NAA worked on an improved bomber model, the A-5B. This took advantage of the zero-wind requirement's elimination to considerably increase the aircraft's maximum weight, and the fuselage was redesigned with a hump back to accommodate additional fuel. The wings were also redesigned with enlarged trailing-edge flaps and fully-blown flaps, which when carrying four external drop tanks, roughly doubled the bomber's range. However, development was halted after only six A-5Bs had been completed due to a shift in the US Navy's strategic focus that placed less value on manned bombers and more on missile technology.
The North American A-5 Vigilante played an important role in the development of aviation technology in the late 1950s and early 1960s, as it was one of the first supersonic bombers designed for carrier operations. Its innovative features and ambitious design made it an important contribution to the field of aviation, even though its career was relatively short-lived.
Design
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a giant among aircraft, introducing groundbreaking technologies and design features during its time as a supersonic carrier-based bomber. Despite its size and complexity, it was able to operate effectively from aircraft carriers thanks to its high-mounted swept wing with boundary-layer control system, spoiler-based roll control, and folded wings and nose radome. The use of unusual materials such as aluminum-lithium alloy and gold coating to reflect heat in the bomb bay made it stand out even more.
The Vigilante was powered by two General Electric J79 turbojet engines, which were equipped with constant-speed drives for alternators and a hydraulically-driven emergency supply generated by a ram air turbine. Its electronics were equally advanced, boasting one of the first "fly-by-wire" systems on an operational aircraft, as well as a computerized nav/attack system, radar-equipped inertial navigation system, closed-circuit television camera, and a digital computer known as VERDAN.
Despite its original design as a carrier-based, supersonic, nuclear heavy attack aircraft, the Vigilante lacked traditional bomb bays and instead featured an unusual "linear bomb bay" between the engines in the rear fuselage. This design allowed the bomb to be dropped at supersonic speeds, with a set of extendable fins attached to the most rearward fuel tank. The stores train was propelled rearward at a speed of about 30 knots relative to the aircraft, with the fuel tanks emptied and jettisoned by an explosive drogue gun.
Overall, the North American A-5 Vigilante was a remarkable aircraft that broke new ground in terms of design and technology. Its advanced features made it one of the most complex aircraft to operate from an aircraft carrier, and its unique design allowed it to drop nuclear bombs at supersonic speeds. While it may have been a giant in the world of aviation, the Vigilante's legacy lives on as a testament to the incredible engineering achievements of its time.
Operational history
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a heavy attack aircraft used by the U.S. Navy. It replaced the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior in the heavy attack role in June 1961, and all its variants were built at North American Aviation's facility in Ohio. However, the Vigilante's early service was plagued with reliability issues caused by its highly sophisticated but unreliable systems, which remained a maintenance-intensive platform throughout its career.
The Vigilante coincided with a major policy shift in the U.S. Navy's strategic role, which emphasized submarine-launched ballistic missiles over manned bombers. As a result, procurement of the A-5 was ended in 1963 and converted to the fast reconnaissance role, with the RA-5C replacing the A-5A and A-5B. All Vigilante squadrons were subsequently redesignated from VAH to RVAH as they transitioned from the attack version to the reconnaissance version.
A total of 10 RA-5C squadrons were established, and RVAH-3 was responsible for the stateside-based RA-5C training mission. Meanwhile, RVAH-1, RVAH-5, RVAH-6, RVAH-7, RVAH-9, RVAH-11, RVAH-12, RVAH-13, and RVAH-14 deployed to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Western Pacific aboard various aircraft carriers. Eight of the ten squadrons of RA-5C Vigilantes saw extensive service in the Vietnam War from August 1964, carrying out hazardous medium-level post-strike reconnaissance missions.
Despite being fast and agile, the RA-5C Vigilante suffered 18 losses in combat: 14 to anti-aircraft fire, 3 to surface-to-air missiles, and 1 to a MiG-21 during Operation Linebacker II. Furthermore, nine more RA-5Cs were lost in operational accidents while serving with Task Force 77. Due, in part, to these combat losses, 36 additional RA-5C aircraft were built from 1968-1970, bringing the total production to 156. Ultimately, the Vigilante's service was overshadowed by its reliability issues and the U.S. Navy's shift away from manned bombers, resulting in its retirement in the early 1980s.
Variants
The North American A-5 Vigilante is a legendary aircraft with a rich history and numerous variants that have captured the imagination of aviation enthusiasts for decades. Let's take a closer look at these variants and explore their unique characteristics.
The XA3J-1 prototypes, two in number, were the first iteration of the Vigilante. Unfortunately, one met a tragic fate, crashing in 1959. The other was eventually converted to the RA-5C variant, the ultimate version of the Vigilante.
The A3J-1 variant, which saw 58 units built, was a significant improvement over its predecessor. Six were canceled, and the remaining 52 were re-designated as A-5A in 1962, which showcased its impressive abilities. Additionally, 42 units were transformed into the RA-5C variant, with even more advanced features.
The A3J-2, of which 18 were built, became the A-5B after a re-designation. Out of these 18, five units were later transformed into the XA3J-3P (YA-5C), which didn't have any reconnaissance systems and was solely used for pilot familiarization. These five units were eventually converted to RA-5C.
The XA3J-3P designation applied only to these five units, while the A3J-3P saw the construction of 20 units. They were eventually re-designated as the RA-5C variant, with improvements that made it stand out even more.
The A-5A and A-5B were the re-designations of the A3J-1 and A3J-2, respectively.
The YA-5C variant was born when the five XA3J-3P units were re-designated before their transformation into the RA-5C variant.
Finally, the RA-5C variant, the ultimate Vigilante version, was contracted for 77 units, with 8 of them canceled. The remaining 69 units were built, with an additional 20 units being re-designated and 61 units being converted from earlier variants. The RA-5C's reconnaissance capabilities were unmatched, and it became a crucial aircraft for the US Navy.
Additionally, the NR-349 proposal was an intriguing development in the Vigilante's evolution. It was a proposed improvement for the US Air Force, featuring three J79 engines and an armament of six AIM-54 Phoenix missiles, making it a potent interceptor.
In conclusion, the North American A-5 Vigilante is a legendary aircraft that has stood the test of time, with its numerous variants showcasing its impressive capabilities. From its humble beginnings with the XA3J-1 prototypes to the powerful RA-5C variant, the Vigilante has captured the hearts of aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
Operators
Aircraft on display
The North American A-5 Vigilante was an impressive aircraft used by the United States Navy in the 1950s and 1960s. Although it was primarily used as a nuclear attack bomber, it was also equipped with powerful reconnaissance capabilities, making it a versatile and valuable tool for the U.S. military.
Many A-5s have been retired from service and preserved in museums across the country, with some even on outdoor display. One of the oldest Vigilantes still on display, and the only one still in its original A3J/A-5A nuclear attack bomber configuration, is BuNo 146697, located at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Lexington Park, Maryland.
Unfortunately, not all A-5s were able to make it to museums. BuNo 146698 was being relocated by Army helicopter from Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, New Jersey to a new location when it became unstable in flight, forcing the helicopter crew to jettison the aircraft from altitude, resulting in its destruction.
Several RA-5C Vigilantes can also be found on display, including BuNo 149289 at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, which was transferred from long-term storage at nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. This aircraft carries the markings of RVAH-3. BuNo 151629, on display at the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Colorado, has been restored and currently displays the markings of RVAH-7 while assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9 aboard the USS Enterprise. BuNo 156608, located at Naval Support Activity Mid-South (formerly Naval Air Station Memphis) in Tennessee, was the last operational RA-5C aircraft and carries the markings of its last squadron, RVAH-7, during its final deployment with Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard the USS Ranger in 1979. Finally, BuNo 156612 is a "gate guard" aircraft located just inside the main gate of Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, and it carries the markings of RVAH-3.
The A-5 Vigilante was a remarkable aircraft, and the ones that have been preserved in museums across the United States serve as a reminder of its important role in American military history. Seeing these impressive machines up close is an experience that is not to be missed for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Specifications (A-5A/A3J-1 Vigilante)
The North American A-5 Vigilante is an all-weather carrier-based bomber aircraft that served in the US Navy and Marine Corps. The aircraft's specifications, particularly the A-5A/A3J-1 Vigilante model, are awe-inspiring. The Vigilante had two General Electric J79-GE-8 after-burning turbojet engines that could produce a whopping 10,900 lbf of thrust and 17,000 lbf in afterburner mode. With such powerful engines, the Vigilante had a maximum speed of 1,149 knots at an altitude of 40,000 feet and could fly at Mach 2.0.
The A-5A Vigilante was 23.32 meters long, 16.16 meters wide, and 5.91 meters high. It had a wing area of 65.1 square meters and an aspect ratio that allowed for a smooth and stable flight. The aircraft could carry a crew of two, and its empty weight was 14,870 kg. The gross weight was 21,605 kg, while the maximum takeoff weight was 28,615 kg.
The aircraft's combat range was 974 nautical miles, allowing it to reach targets far away and return home safely. In terms of armament, the Vigilante was equipped with a B27, B28, or B43 nuclear bomb in its internal weapons bay and two B43, Mark 83, or Mark 84 bombs on two external hardpoints. The co*ckpit instrument panel was user-friendly and equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, such as the AN/ASB-12 Bombing & Navigation Radar and the AN/APD-7 SLAR.
The Vigilante was a true workhorse with impressive capabilities, including a climb rate of 8,000 feet per minute, a ferry range of 1,571 nautical miles, and a ceiling of 52,100 feet. It had a wing loading of 80.4 pounds per square foot and a thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.72, making it a force to be reckoned with.
In conclusion, the North American A-5 Vigilante was a magnificent aircraft that represented the epitome of technological advancement during its time. Its specifications were remarkable, and it had a formidable armament and avionics system that made it a force to be reckoned with. Its unique combination of speed, range, and payload made it one of the most versatile and successful bombers of its era. The A-5A/A3J-1 Vigilante will always be remembered as a true legend of aviation history.
