The Grumman A-6E Intruder was an all-weather attack aircraft designed around a powerful air-to-surface radar, and its final version also featured an infrared/laser multi-sensor that allowed crews to navigate to targets over difficult terrain at low altitudes and high speeds in adverse conditions. Multiple A-6 variants were produced, including KA-6D tankers and EA-6A and EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft, and Intruders flew thousands of combat missions in Vietnam and in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Never authorized for sale to foreign countries, the aircraft was flown only by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Bureau Number 156997 first flew in December 1969 as an A-6A and served with several fleet squadrons before conversion to an A-6E, after which it rejoined the fleet and later went to operational test squadron VX-5 at Pt. Mugu, CA, where it tested mission system upgrades. In October 1984 it was transferred to NATC's Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, where that upgrade role continued, and its final flight came on 29 July 1993. By April 1995 it had logged 4789 flight hours, 780 catapult launches, 787 arrested landings, and 6,287 total landings.

Photo: Devry Becker Jones

Drum Point, Maryland · USA