How to Identify the A-6 Intruder

Few of us will retire at age 40, but few of us went to war both in Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. Grumman Aviation's venerable A-6 Intruder has been relegated to the war reserves. Its cousin, the EA-6B Prowler, still sails with the fleet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Film
• Cameras
• Cameras
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Camcorders
• Videocassettes
• Digital Cameras
• Camera Lenses
• SLR Camera
• Camera Accessories
• Camera Tripod
• Aircraft Band Scanner
• Air & Space Subscriptions
• Aviation Illustrated Magazine
• Telescopes
• Aviation History Subscription
• Pioneers Of Aviation Videos
• Polaroid Cameras
• Polaroid Film
• Desert Storm: Original Air Footage Videos
• Heritage Of Glory: US Marine Corps Video
• Wings Of Gold - US Navy Video
• Flight Of The Intruder Video

1. Look for a medium-sized jet aircraft. An A-6 is just over 54 feet long.

2. Remember that like most Navy aircraft, an Intruder will be painted a low-visibility blue-gray.

3. Check the wings. They're swept-back and have a span of 53 feet.

4. Note the bulbous nose. The Intruder's cockpit seats the pilot and the radar-bombardier nearly side by side.

5. Check the nose again. Note how the air-to-air, refueling-nozzle probe extends well above and forward of the front windshield.

6. Note how the fuselage tapers as it extends rearward.

7. Check the vertical stabilizer. It's relatively large and wide, with a swept-back leading edge and a perpendicular trailing edge.

8. Note the multiple hard points under the A-6's wings.

9. Check the front view. The Intruder's jet engine inlets are located on either side of the fuselage.

10. Remember, you will see the EA-6B and KA-6 versions currently in U.S. Navy service. You can readily identify the EA-6B by the extended cockpit, where two electronic warfare officers sit behind the pilot and navigator. The KA-6 serves the fleet as a carrier-launched, airborne tanker.

Tips & Warnings

• Intruders flew more than 35,000 combat sorties during the Vietnam War.
• The A-6 also served as part of the U.S. Marine Corps aviation inventory.
• An A-6 can carry up to 9 tons of munitions at speeds near 500 mph with a service ceiling of 41,000 feet.
• The EA-6B version carries extra crew and operates to find, jam and suppress an enemy's air defenses. It carries several electronic jamming pods underwing as well as HARM missiles programmed to seek out enemy radar.
• Be aware, and obey security and safety regulations when you visit Naval or Marine Air Stations or civilian airports.