Vought A-7E Corsair II

Vought A-7E Corsair II. . Manufactured by LTV Corporation , Type: Carrier-based attack-bomber , Crew: Pilot only , Maximum Speed: 693 mph , Power Plant: One 14,250 lb S.T. Allison TF41-A-2 turbofan , Weight: 21 tons , Tactical Range: 490 miles , Armament: One 20mm M61-A1 multi-barrel gun, two mounts for sidewinder AAM’s, 6 wing stations for 10,000 lbs of bombs or AGM’s , LTV corporation was contracted in March 1964 to manufacture the Corsair II, and the first A-7A flew on September 27, 1965. VA-147 was commissioned as the first tactical squadron in February 1967 and made the first carrier landings aboard the U.S.S. Ranger in June 1967. This same squadron saw action for the first time over Vietnam in December 1967. The A-7E first flew in November 1968 and entered service in Vietnam in May 1970. The U.S. Navy procured a total of 535 A-7E’s, with production ending in 1983. At peak utilization in the mid 80’s, 22 Navy Squadrons used the A-7E and the Corsair II did not retire from the Navy’s front-line units until well into the 90’s.