Douglas A-3 Skywarrior has been a major player in naval aviation for decades. Skywarrior strategic bomber was developed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company. It is designed specifically for the United States Navy.
It was created in response a need to have a long range bomber capable of delivering nuclear payloads via aircraft carriers.
Development and design
During World War II the United States Navy investigated the feasibility of operating jet-powered planes from aircraft carriers. In the wake of these early successful experiments, new concepts of larger and more powerful aircraft were created. In 1948 the Chief Naval Operations announced a need for an aircraft that would be able to carry up to 10,000 pounds of bombs or a nuclear device. The “supercarriers,” of United States’ class, were designed to carry this aircraft. They would be much bigger than any existing carriers.
Ed Heinemann is the head designer of Douglas Aircraft Company. Heinemann proposed an aircraft design lighter and smaller than Navy original specs. Heinemann reduced the weight of the aircraft to 68,000lbs when fully loaded, making the plane compatible with Navy carriers from the Midway-class. As the United States Class carriers were eliminated in 1949, this decision was made with foresight.
Selection and prototyping
Douglas won the Navy contract by competing against Curtiss-Wright and other manufacturers. Douglas, with its focus on creating a lighter, practical design, won over the Navy in July of 1949.
Initial development was heavily dependent on Westinghouse Electric Corporation’s components. This included Westinghouse J40 Turbojet Engines. Douglas, however, found that the J40’s failed to deliver on performance, and switched over to Pratt & Whitney J57’s in 1953. This modification improved both the performance and reliability.
George Jansen took the XA3D-1 prototype on his maiden fly-by flight in October 1952. The aircraft demonstrated excellent handling characteristics, thanks in part to its hydraulically-boosted control surfaces. Skywarrior began squadron-service with the Navy in 1956 after it had successfully overcome numerous developmental challenges.
Operational History
Early Career as Strategic Bomber
A-3 Skywarrior started out as a strategic bomber with nuclear capability. Its bomb bay held up to 12, 000 pounds worth of weaponry including bulky, early-generation nukes. As the technology of ballistic rockets improved, Skywarrior began to be used for different missions.
Secondary Missions
Skywarrior performed numerous secondary missions for the vast majority of its operational life. These included the following:
- Electronic Warfare (Jamming): Some variants are specifically equipped to perform electronic warfare.
- Tactical Recon: The RA-3B Model was equipped with camera and sensors for recon missions.
- Aerial Fueling: Tanker-variants provided inflight refueling abilities, extending range and operational versatility of carrier air wing.
Skywarrior’s flexibility made it a vital asset to the Navy. Because of its versatility, the aircraft was in use until 1991. Skywarrior received the nickname “Whale” over the course of its career because of its large size and its heavy weight.
Other Features
Skywarrior is a design that incorporates several important features.
- Swept wings (36-degree): These wings provide aerodynamic efficiency, and improve performance at higher speeds.
- Foldable tail and wings: In order to simplify storage aboard aircraft carrier, the vertical stabilizer hinged on starboard and the wings were folded inboard of the engines.
- Its large fuselage accommodated a wide range of mission-specific items, including cameras, electronic weapons systems, and other fuel tanks.
- Hydraulic Controls: The aircraft’s hydraulically-boosted control surfaces provided excellent handling characteristics.
Skywarrior’s lack of ejection seats was a decision taken to reduce the aircraft weight, not because it is weak. Due to this omission, the aircrew gave it the nickname “All Three Dead”, which reflected the inherent risks of piloting an aircraft in combat.
Derivatives, Legacy
B-66 Destroyer
United States Air Force (USAF) developed B-66 Destroyer as a modified Skywarrior. B-66 Destroyer was a multi-role aircraft that served as both a tactical and electronic bomber. The B-66 is equipped with ejection chairs and operates exclusively from land-based base, in contrast to Navy Skywarrior. B-66 remained operational until 1970, extending Skywarrior’s legacy.
Successor Aircraft
North American A-5 Vigilante – a supersonic bomber – succeeded the Skywarrior for the role of strategic bombardier. This aircraft operated as such from 1961 through 1963. Vigilante, a supersonic North American A-5 Vigilante that operated in this capacity from 1961 to 1963, was converted later into a tactic reconnaissance platform. Skywarrior has remained one of history’s longest-serving aircraft despite all of these improvements.
Services Ending
Skywarrior’s career as an operational aircraft officially came to an end in 1991. This aircraft served as a multi-role platform for more than four decades while adapting to evolving Navy requirements. His contributions to Naval Aviation and his influence on subsequent aircraft design make him a significant chapter of Military Aviation History.
Final Conclusion
Douglas A-3 Skywarrior gives testament to ingenuity, adaptability and innovation of aircraft design from the mid-20th century. Originating as a bomber strategic, it evolved over time into a versatile platform that could perform many missions, ranging from electronic war to aerial fueling. A long and distinguished service history and an enduring legacy make it a significant asset to the United States Navy. It plays a key role in defining carrier-based aviation’s future. The Skywarrior was affectionately nicknamed “The Whale,” but it remains an icon for naval aviation.
