A-4 Skyhawk

A-4 Skyhawk
- Lightweight Attacker -

Origin: (Real World)
United States of America

Games Featured in:
Ace Combat 2

Operators:
Special Tactical Fighter Squadron "Scarface"
Usean Rebel Force

Armament:
Gun /2 x 20 mm Colt Mk 12 Cannon
Standard Missiles / AIM-9 Sidewinder

Ace Combat 2 Stats:
Power: 35
Defense: 30
Mobility: 30
Stability: 90
Climbing Ability: 30
Air-to-Air: 40
Air-to-Ground: 60

Overview:
The McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a lightweight, single-engine attack aircraft. The mission of an A-4 attack squadron is to attack and to destroy surface targets in support of the landing force commander, escort helicopters, and conduct other operations as directed.

The Skyhawk was designed by Douglas' Ed Heinemann in response to a U.S. Navy call for a jet-powered attack aircraft to replace the A-1 Skyraider. After numerous tests the Skyhawk was selected for production. The diminutive Skyhawk soon received the nicknames "Scooter", "Bantam Bomber", "Tinker Toy Bomber", and, on account of its nimble performance, "Heinemann's Hot Rod."

The aircraft is of conventional post-WW2 design, with a low-mounted delta-like wing, tricycle undercarriage, and a single turbojet engine in the rear fuselage, with intakes on the fuselage sides. The tail is of cruciform design, with the horizontal stabilizer mounted above the fuselage. Armament consisted of two 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannon, one in each wing root, with 200 rounds per gun, plus a large variety of bombs, rockets, and missiles carried on a hardpoint under the fuselage centreline and hardpoints under each wing (originally one per wing, later two).

Skyhawks were well loved by their crews for being tough and agile. These attributes, along with its low price tag and easy maintenance, have contributed to the popularity of the A-4 both with American armed forces and internationally.

Sources:
The Ace Combat Series (game weapons loadings)
Global Security.org
Fighter Planes.com
Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network

Accreditation:
Original Article By: tkgamer