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This venerable light attack fighter first flew in 1954. It
served in a number of variants with the USN, USMC and a number
of export customers. The type has been withdrawn from combat
roles in the US services but still performs in the advanced
trainer role. A number of countries have performed extensive
upgrades on their Skyhawks.New Zealand's A-4Kahu were fitted
with with an APG-66 radar, a new cockpit featuring HUD, HOTAS
controls and a pair of CRT displays. Weapons included AIM-9M,
AGM-65 and LGBs. The RNZAF combat arm was disbanded in 2001
and its A-4 and MB-339 aircraft withdrawn from service. Argentina
has been a long time operator of Skyhawks and in 2000 took
delivery of the last of 36 refurbished A-4AR Fightinghawk
aircraft. These are simillar to the New Zealand A-4Kahu. The
ultimate incarnation of the A-4 would have to be Singapores
A-4SU Super Skyhawk. These have been significantly modified
to accept a GE F404-GE-100D non-afterburning turbofan. Compared
to the Wright J65-W-20 which had been fitted during Singapores
initial A-4S upgrade program, the F404 is 27% more powerful.
It gives the A-4SU 15% higher dash speed, 35% higher climb
rate and 40% better level acceleration than the A-4S. The
Super Skyhawk became operational in 1992 and is expected to
serve until Singapore integrates its new fighter choice from
the current competition (Rafale/Typhoon/F-15E).
DB2000 Entries:
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