In December 1957, the Grumman corporation was selected by the US Navy to fulfill the new long-range low-level tactical strike
aircraft requirement with their A-6 Intruder. The A-6A's first flight occurred on April 19, 1960, and the first of
482 production aircraft were delivered in February 1963. The A-6A introduced the new Digital Integrated Attack Navigation Equipment (DIANE), which
proved to be excellent in all weather conditions. In all, 19 A-6B's were converted from A-6A standard for SAM suppression, and 12 A-6C's were
converted with FLIR and LLLTV equipment for improved night-attack capabilities. The upgraded A-6E first flew on February 27, 1970 and introduced
a multi-mode navigation/attack radar system. The A-6 was later replaced by the F/A-18 Hornet.
Summary Copyright © Charles M (JetWhiz)