Vought YA-7F
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YA-7F "Strikefighter" | |
---|---|
YA-7F prototype in 1989 | |
Role | Attack aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Ling-Temco-Vought/Vought |
First flight | November 1989 |
Status | Canceled |
Primary user | United States Air Force |
Number built | 2 |
Developed from | LTV A-7 Corsair II |
The Vought YA-7F "Strikefighter" is a prototype transonic
Design and development
In 1985, the US Air Force requested proposals for a fast strike aircraft because of concerns that
The vertical stabilizer height was increased about 10 in (25 cm), the unit horizontal tail was flipped from dihedral to anhedral, and control surfaces were flattened. The end result resembled the supersonic
The new supersonic A-7 could accelerate with a 17,380 lb (7,880 kg) bomb load from 400 to 550 knots (1,020 km/h) in under 15 seconds and could sustain Mach 1.2 for longer times with the extra fuel.[citation needed] The YA-7F modifications allowed 7-g turn and burn capability that permitted high-speed sustained evasive maneuvers plus great improvements in high angle of attack performance. As a CAS/BAI platform to penetrate into enemy territory and return safely, the "Strikefighter" moniker was most fitting. Two A-7Ds were extensively modified, the first one flying on 29 November 1989, and breaking the sound barrier on its second flight. The second prototype flew on 3 April 1990.
The project was canceled due to improved relations with former adversaries, lower defense budgets, and the
Variants
- YA-7F (A-7D Plus / A-7 Strikefighter)
- Stretched, supersonic version of A-7 powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100-220 turbofan, optimized for interdiction role, but cancelled after only two were built.
Operators
Aircraft on display
- 70-1039 –
- 71-0344 – Edwards AFB, California.[2]
Specifications (YA-7F)
Data from Hill Aerospace Museum fact sheet[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Length: 50 ft 1⁄2 in (15.253 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m)
- Height: 16 ft 11 in (5.16 m)
- Empty weight: 23,068 lb (10,463 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 46,000 lb (20,865 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan, 26,000 lbf (120 kN) with afterburner
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 1.2
- Range: 2,302 mi (3,705 km, 2,000 nmi) maximum with four 300-US-gallon (1,100 L) external tanks
- Service ceiling: 55,000 ft (17,000 m)
Armament
- Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan rotary cannon
- Hardpoints: external with a capacity of over 17,000 lb (7,700 kg) of ordnance
See also
Related development
Related lists
- List of attack aircraft
- List of military aircraft of the United States
References
Notes
- ^ "YA-7F Strikefighter/70-1039." Hill Aerospace Museum. Retrieved: 26 January 2022.
- ^ "YA-7F Strikefighter/70-1039." Air Force Flight Test Center Museum. Retrieved: 26 January 2022.
- ^ YA-7F Hill Aerospace Museum faxt sheet Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
Bibliography
- NAVAIR 01-45AAA-1, A-7A/B Flight Manual. US Navy, 15 August 1973.
- NAVAIR 01-45AAE-1, A-7C/E Flight Manual. US Navy, 1 March 1973.
- Donald, David and Jon Lake, eds. Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. London: AIRtime Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-880588-24-2.
- Dorr, Robert F. "A Plus for the Corsair". ISSN 0306-5634. pp. 61–65, 84–87, 93.
- Higham, Robin and Carol Williams. Flying Combat Aircraft of USAAF-USAF (Volume 2). Andrews AFB, Maryland: Air Force Historical Foundation, 1978. ISBN 0-8138-0375-6.
- Hobson, Chris. Vietnam Air Losses, USAF/USN/USMC, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia, 1961–1973. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2001. ISBN 1-85780-115-6.
- Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books, 1989. ISBN 0-87474-880-1.
- Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911. London: Putnam, Second edition, 1976. ISBN 0-370-10054-9.
- Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1990. ISBN 0-87021-792-5.
- Wings of Eagles
External links
- Vought Heritage YA-7F page
- YA-7F Prototype at Hill AFB Museum
- Joe Baugher's website on the Ling-Temco-Vought YA-7F Corsair II