The North American RA-5C Vigilante began as the A3J Vigilante, later redesignated A-5 in 1962, a carrier-based bomber built to deliver a nuclear weapon at twice the speed of sound. After submarines took over the strategic nuclear attack mission two years after Vigilantes were fielded, fleet and production aircraft were converted to reconnaissance use. Operated only by the U.S. Navy, eight RA-5C squadrons served in Southeast Asia from August 1964 through 1975. Known for graceful lines, exceptional speed, and immense size, the Vigilante ranked among the heaviest carrier-capable aircraft ever and became one of the most distinctive aircraft in Naval Aviation history. The last RA-5C flight took place in November 1979. Bureau Number 156643, the last production RA-5C, was accepted by the Navy on 30 October 1970 and served with several fleet squadrons; though a fleet aircraft, it was often flown by Naval Air Test Center crews in support of periodic Automatic Carrier Landing System certifications. It was retired in June 1979 and transferred to PRNAM after logging 3334.7 flight hours, 637 catapult launches, 635 arrested landings, and 3664 total landings.