Douglas A-3 Skywarrior

XA3D-1: Two prototypes with turbojets, no cannon in tail turret.

Westinghouse J40

YA3D-1 (YA-3A): One pre-production prototype with engines. Later used for tests at the Pacific Missile Test Center.

Pratt & Whitney J57

A3D-1 (A-3A): 49 initial production versions, serving largely in developmental role in carrier service.

A3D-1P (RA-3A): One A3D-1 converted as a prototype for the A3D-2P with camera pack in the weapon bay.

A3D-1Q (EA-3A): Five A3D-1s converted for the electronic reconnaissance (ELINT) role, with equipment and four operators in weapons bay.

ECM

A3D-2 (A-3B): Definitive production bomber version, with stronger airframe, more powerful engines, slightly larger wing area (812 ft²/75 m² versus 779 ft²/72 m²), provision for reel for tanker role. Final 21 built had new AN/ASB-7 bombing system, reshaped nose; deleted tail turret in favor of electronic warfare installation.

in-flight refueling

A3D-2P (RA-3B): 30 photo-reconnaissance aircraft with weapons bay package for up to 12 cameras plus photoflash bombs. Increased allowed camera operator to enter the bay to check the cameras. Some retained tail guns, but most were later converted to ECM tail of late A-3Bs.

pressurization

A3D-2Q (EA-3B): 24 electronic warfare versions with pressurized compartment in former weapon bay for one Electronic Warfare Officer and three ESM operators, various sensors. Some early models had tail guns, but these were replaced with the ECM tail. It was assigned to fleet reconnaissance squadrons VQ-1 (Japan and later Guam) and VQ-2 (Rota. Spain) where they flew alongside the and the EP-3B and EP-3E. It served for almost 40 years, being the longest serving variant, and was replaced by the ES-3A Shadow flown by two Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) squadrons: VQ-5 at Naval Air Station North Island, California and VQ-6 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. They were decommissioned due to budget constraints less than 10 years after commissioning.

Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star

A3D-2T (TA-3B): 12 bomber- versions. Five later converted as VIP transports (two redesignated UTA-3B).

trainer

KA-3B: 85 A-3B bombers refitted in 1967 for the tanker role with probe-and-drogue system in place of bombing equipment.

EKA-3B: 34 KA-3B tankers refitted for dual Electronic countermeasures (ECM)/tanker role, with electronic warfare equipment and tail fairing in place of rear turret. Most were converted back to KA-3B configuration (with no ECM gear) after 1975.

ERA-3B: Eight RA-3Bs converted as electronic aggressor aircraft (primarily for war-at sea exercises) with ECM gear in an extended tail cone and fairings, along with two detachable ram-air turbine powered ALQ-76 countermeasures pods (one under each wing), dispensers (on the tail cone and aft fuselage) and four ram-air turbines (two per side) to power equipment located in the former bomb bay. Crew increased to four: pilot, navigator, crew chief, and Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) with one mostly unused "jumpseat" in the aft crew compartment (the former weapon bay) which lacked an equipment position for a second Electronic Countermeasures Officer or enlisted crewman. The "jump seat" was used by instructor ECMOs training new ECMOs, as well as by guest observers and passengers during operational flights. While the ERA-3B could withstand a cable-arrested landing, the ALT-40 and ALR-75 equipment was not stressed to withstand catapult launches, thus it was never deployed aboard carriers. The ERA-3B served with VAQ-33 and later with VAQ-34.

chaff

NRA-3B: Six RA-3Bs converted for various non-combat test purposes.

VAH-1

125413 – , Johnstown, New York.^[31]

Fulton County Airport

Crew: 3

Length: 76 ft 4 in (23.27 m)

Wingspan: 72 ft 6 in (22.10 m)

Height: 22 ft 9.5 in (6.947 m)

Wing area: 812 sq ft (75.4 m²) with slats and CLE from A3D-2/A-3B

: root: NACA 63-009.9 (modified - {cambered leading edges}); tip: NACA 63-008.25 (modified - {cambered leading edges})^[52]

Airfoil

Empty weight: 39,409 lb (17,876 kg)

Gross weight: 70,000 lb (31,751 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 82,000 lb (37,195 kg)

Powerplant: 2 × turbojet engines, 10,500 lbf (47 kN) thrust each dry

Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10

Ilyushin Il-28

Sud Aviation Vautour

Yakovlev Yak-28

AeroWeb: List of A-3 Survivors on display

A-3 Skywarrior.com: "Whale" Video

GlobalAircraft: A-3 Skywarrior

a 1955 Flight article

"Skywarrior – Designing the World's Heaviest Carrier-based Aircraft"

– contemporary article in Flight magazine

FOR NAVAL ATTACK – An Analysis of the Douglas A3D Skywarrior of the U.S. Navy

A-3 Skywarrior Assn.