A-5 Vigilante (Wallpaper 2) aircraft photo gallery | AirSkyBuster

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A-5 Vigilante (Wallpaper 2). Photo wallpaper gallery of North American A-5 Vigilante supersonic attack aircraft - 2. North American A-5 Vigilante supersonic attack aircraft pictures and images collection - 2. The Vigilante had advanced and complex electronics when it first entered service. It had one of the first fly-by-wire systems of an operational aircraft (with mechanical/hydraulic backup) and a computerized AN/ASB-12 nav/attack system incorporating a head-up display (Pilot's Projected Display Indicator (PPDI), one of the first), multi-mode radar, Radar-Equipped Inertial Navigation System (REINS, based on technologies developed for the Navaho missile), closed-circuit television camera under the nose, and an early digital computer known as VERDAN (Versatile Digital Analyzer) to run it all. The A-5 Vigilante was a truly magnificent aircraft of its time. It was optimized for low-level attacks at high speeds and was one of the biggest aircraft that ever operated from a carrier. A-5 Vigilante (Wallpaper 2). Photo wallpaper gallery of North American A-5 Vigilante supersonic attack aircraft - 2. North American A-5 Vigilante supersonic attack aircraft pictures and images collection - 2. Out of the 63 bomber variants built, all but ten were converted to RA-5C reconn. variants in the end. The first prototype, the YA3J-1 Vigilante, was first rolled out on May 16, 1958, with its first flight on August 31, 1958. It was powered by two General Electric YJ79-GE-2 engines. A total of 156 Vigilantes were built, including prototypes. One is known to survive on display at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. A number were used as nonflying targets, including one that was used a target for the Tomahawk cruise missile whose destruction is documented by well-known imagery. The first production A3J-1 Vigilante aircraft flew later in 1960. These aircraft were fitted with the more powerful J-79 engines, leading to the J-79-GE-8 engines which had 16,500 pounds (7,480 kilograms) thrust. The A3J-2 attack variant, later dubbed the A-5B, and the RA-5C reconn. variant were built later on. In all, 156 Vigilantes were built including the prototypes, one of which still survives on display at the Naval Aviation Museum (Pensacola, Florida). A-5 Vigilante (Wallpaper 2). Photo wallpaper gallery of North American A-5 Vigilante supersonic attack aircraft - 2. North American A-5 Vigilante supersonic attack aircraft pictures and images collection - 2.