A-12 AVENGERSelected information on the A-12 “Avenger", the Navy’s planned new-generation attack aircraft, has been declassified and released. “Avenger” is to replace the A-6E “Intruder," the Navy's primary attack aircraft for the past 27 years, in providing all-weather, day/night attack of both fixed and mobile sea and land targets in support of the Navy’s mission. Development of the A-12 is the culmination of several years of study of 21st Century attack aircraft requirements.
Low-obscrvablo technology, greater speed and advanced weapon and survivability systems will enable the A-12 to penetrate the most sophisticated defenses and deliver greater quantities of ordnance with precision and at less risk to the flight crew than any previous naval aircraft. The “Avenger" has been designed to be effective against all known and projected threat weapon systems and. like the A-6E. will be manned by two crew members, a pilot and a bombardier/navigator.
The A-12 Fixed-Price Incentive Contract for Full Scale Development (FSD) was awarded to the contractor team of McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics for a ceiling price of $4.78
billion (TY$). other R&D costs totalling approximately $800 million (TY$) include funds for concept formulation, demonstration/validation and for Navy laboratories and field activities that support the A-12 Program.
Over the life of the program, the Navy plans to buy a total of 620 aircraft. Eight aircraft are being built for the full-scale development program. The first lot of six aircraft, funded in FY90. will be used to support the operational test and evaluation and fleet introduction of the A-12. The A-12 airframe will have a projected service life of 20 years.
CapabilitiesThe "Avenger" represents substantial improvements in war fighting capability and will fly farther and faster than the A-6E with a greater weapon payload. The A-12 is capable of using all weapons currently used by the A-6E. Its significant offensive and defensive air-to-air capabilities will enhance mission flexibility. It will be capable of penetrating sophisticated missile defense systems which, no longer the sole property of the superpowers, are widely dispersed throughout the world. Extremely accurate navigation systems will allow the A-12 to deliver weapons with
exceptional precision, minimizing damage to non-military sites.
Naval power will be enhanced by the A-12's capability to covertly penetrate deeper into enemy territory, unrefueled, strike targets beyond the reach of current sea-based aircraft, and bring the crew home safely.
SurvivabilityA number of advanced systems are being incorporated to enhance the survivability of the A-12. The automated electronic cockpit will provide the crew with a variety of systems to aid in the detection and avoidance of enemy threats, including an electronic support measures system and a missile wanting system for early identification of enemy radars and guided missiles.
Reliability and Maintainability“Avenger" is expected to have double the reliability of the A-6E. while needing only half the maintenance man hours (lower than any other Naval aircraft), and reduced spare parts requirements. Improved reliability and maintainability will mean higher aircraft readiness rates with lower life-cycle support costs. The low observable materials and composite construction are designed to withstand the corrosive rigors of
the aircraft carrier environment. No special structures will be needed to protect the A-12.
AdaptabilityThe Navy is examining alternative uses for the A-12 since it will be adaptable to other mission requirements. The “Avenger’s" electronic displays, high-speed fiber optic data bus. Very High Speed Integrated Circuit technology, programmable processors and large weapon bay capabilities would facilitate adaptation. Use of the A-12 airframe and systems for other missions would reduce the number and type of aircraft deployed on carrier decks and minimize the need for development and procurement of various types of aircraft.
“Avenger”The A-12 was named “Avenger" after the World War II attack aircraft built by Grumman and General Motors. It was the first attack aircraft with radar, carried a wide variety of equipment and ordnance, and could attack at long-range, day or night. The parallel between the two aircraft led to selection of "Avenger" as the name of the Navy's next generation primary attack aircraft.
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