Douglas A-3 Skywarrior

Strategic bomber introduced in 1956

Overview

Douglas United States ICAO: A3 1956–1961

The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was built and manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company as a jet-powered strategic bomber for the United States Navy. It was introduced to the public in 1956. The Skywarrior was produced from 1956 to 1961 with a total of 282 aircraft built. It was retired in September 1991.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
2 × 12,400 lbf · 55 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
3
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
76 ft 4 in  ·  23.27 m
Tail height
22 ft 8 in  ·  6.90 m
Fuselage diameter
6 ft 11 in  ·  2.10 m
Wing span
72 ft 6 in  ·  22.10 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
82,000 lb  ·  37,200 kg
Max landing weight
42,000 lb  ·  19,000 kg
Max payload
6,200 lb  ·  2,800 kg
Fuel capacity
4,400 gal · 16,700 L · 13,300 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
544 kt  ·  626 mph  ·  1,007 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
100 kt  ·  115 mph  ·  185 km/h
Range
2,600 nm  ·  2,990 mi  ·  4,820 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
41,000 ft  ·  12,500 m
Rate of climb
5,230 ft/min  ·  27 m/s
Takeoff distance
6,550 ft  ·  2,000 m
Landing distance
6,650 ft  ·  2,020 m
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U.S. Navy Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior from Fleet Reconnaissance Squadron VQ-1.

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Operational Context

On October 28, 1952, the Skywarrior prototype designated as XA3D-1 conducted its first flight. The A-3 Skywarrior was produced in several versions.

The A3D-2 (A-3B) is a definitive production bomber aircraft. It is equipped with a stronger airframe with an external length of 23.27 meters, an external height of 3.3 meters, and a width of 2.1 meters. The wheelbase is 9.2 meters. The wings have a moderately greater area of 75.4 square meters compared to the standard 72 square meters. It also has a 36 degree swept. wing and a wingspan of 22.10 meters.

The aircraft has an empty weight of 17,876 kg and a gross weight of 31,751 kg. The maximum takeoff weight is 37,195 kg while the maximum landing weight is 19,040 kg. It has a maximum payload of 2811 kg and a fuel tank capacity of 4,400 US gallons.

The aircraft is fitted with two more powerful Pratt and Whitney J57-P-10 turbojet engines. It is an afterburning turbojet with an all-axial, nine-stage low-pressure and seven-stage high-pressure compressor, cannular combustors, and an all-axial, single-stage high-pressure and two-stage low-pressure turbine. Each engine produces a maximum dry thrust of 10,500 lbf and 12,400 lbf if with water injection.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of 530 knots at 10,000 feet and a cruise speed of 520 knots. The standard range is 1,825 nautical miles and the ferry range is 2,520 nautical miles. It can fly up to 41,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 5,230 feet per minute. It has a takeoff and landing distance of 1,996 meters and 2,020 meters, respectively.

The Skywarrior can be loaded with two 20 mm M3L autocannon located in the tail turret. It is also armed with 5,800 kg of free-fall bombs or mines, including any combination of twelve 230 kg Mark 82 unguided bombs or six 450 kg Mark 83 low-drag general-purpose bombs, eight 730 kg armor-piercing bombs or four 910 kg bombs, and one free-fall nuclear weapon. The aircraft also features an avionics system such as AN/ASB-1A early radar, AN/ASB-7 bomb-director, and defensive electronic countermeasure gear.