In 1970, a dozen A-6A models were modified for the night attack role and outfitted with the TRIM pod ("Trails/Roads Interdiction Multi-Sensor") which allowed for enhanced night time function of the aircraft in low light / poor weather over the crucial Ho Chi Minh Trail supply route. Again, attack systems and navigational radar were replaced for the role.
While no definitive "D" Intruder model emerged, the "KA-6D" was developed as a successor to the outgoing KA-3B "Skywarriors" in the in-flight refueling role. The KA-6D retained some of its basic bombing capabilities but was a support platform through and through. It could service other attack aircraft by carrying a specialize refueling kit which made the base A-6A a "fuel bus" of sorts, providing fuel to awaiting allies during missions. As the USN lacked a dedicated in-flight refueling tanker, the KA-6D filled this role through a the "K" conversion process and some 78 A-models and a further 12 E-models were converted to this standard.
Also in 1970 emerged the A-6E variant which introduced a new attack suite and navigation system. This mark became the final - and somewhat definitive - Intruder of the Vietnam War years. A 1980 conversion program increased weapons support to include precision-guided ordnance. A large portion of the fleet were also given new wing assemblies due to combat and service life fatigue over the ensuing decade. E-models eventually totaled 445 units of which 240 were brought along from existing A-, B-, C-model stocks.
The A-6F became an ultimately failed bid to augment the A-6 fleet through an improved "Intruder II" concept with new, more powerful engines and onboard processing systems. Five prototypes were completed but USN authorities decided against the costly endeavor. The A-6G was, therefore, a Grumman-sponsored "budget alternative" of the F-model but went nowhere as well.
The EA-6A was a USMC Electronic Warfare Aircraft (EWA) variant which numbered 28 airframes (distinguished by their vertical fin bulge housing the antennas). The type first flew on April 26th, 1963 and eventually was made from a stock of 15 new-build models and 11 converted A-6A airframes. The USMC used these specially outfitted aircraft over Vietnam where they replaced the aging stock of Douglas F3D "Skyknights" in the same role. Equipment included the AN/APQ-129 Fire Control Radar (FCR) and AN/APN-153 series navigation system and EA-6As soldiered on up to the late 1970s before being given up.
A more dedicated EWA version of the Intruder family became the EA-6B "Prowler" which was given a lengthened fuselage to accommodate an additional two side-by-side crewmen (electronic warfare officers). More advanced radar, navigation, and processing systems greeted this type and gave the USN a potent alternative to the USAF-sponsored EF-111 "Ravens" that it relied on in combat zones. One other identifying quality about these aircraft was the pod fitted to the tail fin which housed the necessary antennas and underwing pods for the jammer equipment. Prowler procurement numbered 170 units for service with both the USN and USMC and were introduced during 1971 with production spanning into 1991.
The Prowler has since been replaced by the modern EA-18G "Growler" series, this specialized airframe based on the twin-seat Boeing F/A-18 "Super Hornet" line.
For the 1980s, American attention had turned away from Southeast Asia and centered more and more on involvement in Middle East affairs. In 1983, the A-6 was called to service over Lebanon in support of an international peacekeeping measure under the banner of the United Nations. Combat found the series once more when they launched in anger against targets in Libya. In 1991, Intruders formed the carrier-based strike arm of the U.S.-led coalition in the Persian Gulf as it laid waste to the Iraqi air force and army during Operation Desert Storm where precision-guided capabilities were put to tremendous use. Both USN and USMC Intruders were used in the war with only three lost to enemy fire. After the war, Intruders served with coalition forces in maintaining the UN-imposed "No Fly Zones" over northern and southern Iraq. Its next actions in the region brought it over Somalia during Operation Restore Hope (1992-1993) while final sorties were in eastern Europe against enemy targets in Bosnia during 1994.
By the middle of the decade, the Intruder design had all but run its course as a frontline USN player, having seen consistent combat service throughout most of the major American engagements of the latter 20th Century. Time and technology advances eventually crept into a decision to begin a drawdown of the A-6 fleet. The McDonnell Douglas A-12 "Avenger II" - a triangle-shaped naval stealth bomber - was, at one point, envisioned to be the A-6's high-tech replacement but the project went nowhere and ended as an over-funded black eye for the USN. Once the Grumman F-14 Tomcat air defense interceptor was given a long-awaited ground attack capability, the A-6 was formally retired to help better streamline and standardize the types of aircraft serving aboard American carriers. The F-14 was then, itself, retired and replaced by the multirole F/A-18 "Hornet" which, in turn, gave rise to a two-seat platform as the "Super Hornet". The Super Hornet handles both the role of fleet defense (as the F-14 did) while taking on strike sorties as needed (as in the A-6).
The A-6 Intruder was never exported beyond American shores. Total production netted 693 aircraft of all variant types mentioned.
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