The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior is a product of the synergy of ambition, capable engineering, and longer life perfectly confirms its superiority during its participation in Cold War time. Made in the late 1940s, it was the Navy’s response machine to an urgent combat challenge, a jet bomber with having more passenger carrier capabilities, long-range travel, and delivery of nuclear payloads anywhere on Globe.
When it entered in service back in the year 1952, few might have thought that it would stay flying for almost forty years, to become one of the longest-serving aircraft ever serve on the US Navy carriers. It was no single person who design a plane so big for carrier use, the Navy desired something much bigger and heavier than any aircraft that ever have been launched from a Carrier deck.
Douglas Aircraft met the challenge with its revolutionary design decisions, a high-wing configuration that can be folded during its aircraft career docking, tricycle landing gears for smoother takeoffs and landings, and two Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines capable of carrying heavy loads over higher distances than a routine aircraft.
In A-3B configuration, the Skywarrior had a wingspan of slightly more than 22 meters, an upper weight of more than 37,000 kilograms, and could fly at speeds of up to 530 knots at 10,000 feet. Loaded to capacity, it could carry virtually six tons of bombs, mines, or even nuclear weapon and climb to the heights of 41,000 feet. A twin 20 mm cannon armed tail turret provided better defensive fire, while advanced avionics such as the AN/ASB-1A radar and AN/ASB-7 bomb director enabled accurate strikes.
By the mid 1950s, the Skywarrior had strengthen its position as a strategic bomber in US Airforce. But as the needs of the military changed, so did the Skywarrior’s role. As in the Vietnam War, it was used to perform multiple tasks at war-fronts.
The KA-3B became an air tanker, helping to pump fuel to Navy Aircraft carrier fighter planes and reconnaissance aircraft to extend their flight time. The EKA-3B became even more unique, by adding electronic warfare and jamming enemy radar on refuelling tasks along with assisting with alerts to friendly aircraft in midair.
Electronic intelligence was a strength as well. The EA-3B replaced bombs with modern ELINT gear and a seven-man crew with electronic warfare experts. These planes flew from the carriers and navy land bases, and monitoring enemy movements, intercepting messages across Vietnam, and even providing support during the Gulf War.
Reconnaissance was also an important mission. The RA-3B had high-resolution sensors and cameras, surveillance over enemy territory to collect important intelligence information to use it in the further combat planning missions. Its long range, high load capacity, and strong body frame make it one of the best reliable aircraft of naval commanders.
The versatility of the Skywarrior impressed the Air Force, which converted it into the B-66 Destroyer. Although reflecting the Skywarrior, the B-66 was designed for land use, with heavier landing gear, ejection seats, and Allison J71 engines. Similar to the Navy’s Skywarrior, the B-66 existed in various specialized models, from bombers and recon planes to the EB-66 electronic warfare aircraft, which helped to jam enemy radar during the Vietnam War.
The Skywarrior improved many times over the time since its addition and as per the need. Its ERA-3B model was equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, enhanced navigation equipment such as the Litton LN-211 Omega, improved communications equipment, advanced weather radar, and better identification systems. These updates made it very well competitive into the 1980s, even when military aviation technology moved at a very advanced level.
The A-3 had retired in 1991, superseded by newer, better, and more technologically sophisticated aircraft. Yet its memory remains, kept alive in US War museums and the memories of the crews who flew “the Whale,” which it is called. Much more than a bomber, the Skywarrior was a multi use aeroplane, which was able to perform every assigned task and confirmed its legendary contribution in the navy and aviation history.
