A-4 Skyhawk

The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was designed by Edward Henry Heinemann as a single-seat carrier-borne attack bomber. The prototype Skyhawk, XA4D-1, flew for the first time on 22 June 1954, only eighteen months after design work was initiated and features a simplified airframe and reduced equipment as compared to other deck-landing combat aircraft. No wing folding mechanism is used as the Skyhawk is sufficiently small without wings folded to ascend and descend on the elevators of U S Navy aircraft carriers. The Skyhawk entered service in October 1956 and provided the US Navy and the USMC with their principal light attack platform for over 20 years. Total production of all variants reached 2,960.

Early models comprised the Wright J65-W2 powered A-4A/B/Cs (differing in avionics and engine power), the Pratt & Whitney J52-P engined A-4Es and A-4Fs with a dorsal avionics hump. Export models comprised A-4G (Australia), A-4H (Israel), A-4K (New Zealand), A-4KU (Kuwait) and A-4P & 4Q (Argentina). The A-4L was a re-built A-4C for the USN Reserve. A-4Ns were similar to the A-4H but featured uprated avionics, including a HUD. The last major production model was the A-4M, based on the A-4F but introducing a Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 engine.

A-4 trainer variants feature two cockpits in tandem with a single canopy, and some combat capability. The USMC's OA-4M was used for FAC duties, and has been retired. The definitive TA-4J was a simplified version which lacks cannon armament and combat capability. In USN service this is the major operational model, used for advanced training, including carrier qualification.

Singapore has the most capable Skyhawks, having upgraded surplus A-4B/Cs as A-4Ss. Three modification standards exist: the basic refurbished aircraft, the A-4S-1 Super Skyhawk, re-engined with the GE-F404 turbofan, and the A-4SU with F404 and a new digital avionics suite which include a Pave Penny laser designator, pilot's HUD and an inertial navigation system (INS).

A- 4S-1 Super Skyhawk Specifications
Length (including IFR probe):	12.72 m
Height:	4.57 m
Wingspan:	8.38 m
Wing area:	24.4 sq.m
Performance
Weight (operating empty):	4,649 kg
Maximum take off weight:	10,206 kg
Maximum speed:	1,128 km /h
Maximum rate of climb:	3,326 m per minute
Service ceiling:	12,190m
Range with maximum ordnance:	625 nm (1,158 km)
Propulsion
One General Electric F404-GE-100D non-afterburning turbofan rated at 48.04 kN
Armament
Two Mk 12 20-mm cannon in wingroots; plus ordnance including : - bombs, - rockets, - ASMs, AIM-9P AAMs and fuel tanks.

McDonnell Douglas Skyhawk Variants
XA4D-1	Prototype, first flown on 22 June 1954. Test pilot was Robert O. Rahn.
A-4A (A4D -1)	First production Skyhawk.
A-4B (A4D -2)	First flown on 26 March 1956.
A-4C (A4D-2N)	First flown on 21 August 1959.
A-4D	Designation was skipped to avoid confusion with the earlier A4D designation.
A-4E (A4D-5)	First flown on 21 July 1961.
A-4F	Has a dorsal avionics hump.
A-4G	Similar to E, manufactured for the Royal Australian Navy.
A-4H	Similar to E, manufactured for Israel.
A-4K	Similar to E, manufactured for New Zealand.
A-4KU	Similar to E, manufactured for Kuwait.
A-4L	Modified version of 4C, assigned to US Naval Reserve.
A-4M	First A-4M prototype flew on 10 April 1970. Specially manufactured for the Marine Corps.
A-4N	Has a new nav/attack system and a revised cockpit layout including a HUD. First A-4N prototype flown on 12 June 1972. Same powerplant and airframe as the A-4M.
EA-4F	Specially modified from TA-4F for use by the USN FEWSG (Fleet Electronics Warfare Service Group).
OA-4M	Modified TA-4F, used by the USMC for forward air control (FAC) duties.
TA-4J	The definitive trainer variant, featuring two cockpits.
A-4PTM	Peculiar to Malaysia, these were surplus USN A-4Cs and A-4Ls.
A-4P & 4Q	Manufactured B models for sale to Argentina. Ps to the Air Force and Qs to the Naval Air Arm.
A-4S	Surplus A-4Bs re-worked for the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
A-4S-1	Upgraded & re-engined by Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (STAL). Also known as "Super Skyhawk".
A-4SU	Super Skyhawk upgraded & re-engined by Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd with a new avionics suite.

Skyhawk Operators
Argentina	Australia	Indonesia
Israel	Kuwait	Malaysia
New Zealand	Singapore