The A-6 Intruder was the world’s first attack bomber capable of detecting and identifying tactical or strategic targets, and delivering both conventional and nuclear ordnance in all weather conditions. This extremely accurate, low-altitude, long-range, subsonic weapons system was powered by two turbojet engines partially buried in its plump fuselage. The Intruder was manned by a crew of two, pilot and bombardier-navigator, seated side by side. To assist them, the all-weather navigation and weapons delivery system provided an integrated electronic display which allowed them to “see” targets and geographical features regardless of the effects of darkness or foul weather.

The A-6A first entered service in February 1963 with Navy Squadron VA-42. The A-6B, whose primary job was the suppression of surface-to-air missiles, was essentially an avionics modification of the A-6A with provisions for the Navy’s anti-radiation missile. The A-6C incorporated electro-optical sensors to observe and attack vehicles moving under the cover of darkness.

The A-6E, the last model in the series, featured multi-mode radar and an improved computer. The Intruder had been the mainstay of the Navy and Marine Corps air arms for more than three decades. It had been constantly improved upon over this time, and had been used for close-air-support interdiction, and deep-strike missions. It was configured for both Harm and Harpoon missiles and, with its radar and FLIR/laser systems, could detect, classify and attack a full range of targets.

The A-6E was first flown on February 27, 1970. It was externally identical to the A-6A but featured much more advanced electronics; successive upgrades were made throughout the year, which progressively increased the capabilities of the airplane. The A-6E was the U.S. Navy’s heavy payload attack aircraft that provided all-weather, day or night long-range strike capability. The integrated radar system provided the capabilities of search, target tracking, airborne moving target identification, and beacon interrogation.

The first A-6E entered Navy service with the training squadron VA-42 in 1971, and shortly thereafter, in December 1971, the first operational squadron, VA-85, received their airplanes. The A-6E program involved new production A-6Es, and the modification of 240 A-6As to the A-6E configuration. By the end of the program, 445 USN and USMCA-6Es had been produced.

The Museum’s A-6E Intruder was built by Grumman Aircraft as an A-6E in mid-1988, and was amongst the last from the A-6E production line. The Museum’s aircraft was delivered to the Navy in May 1989 and first saw duty with VA-75 at NAS Oceana, Virginia. It made several cruises on the USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) while assigned to that squadron and completed additional sea duty tours with VA-35 on the USS Saratoga (CVA-60). After a short tour with VX-5 at Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, California, it was assigned to VX-9 at the same facility. The aircraft was stricken from the Navy inventory in early 1994 and was flown from NWC China Lake by a Navy flight crew to Gillespie Field on August 25, 1994.

The A-6E Intruder is on display at the Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex located at 335 Kenney Street in El Cajon, California. The Annex is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. Learn more at: https://sandiegoairandspace.org/visit/gillespie-field-annex