✈️ Aircraft Specifications
| Designation | A-5A/RA-5C |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| First Flight | 1958 |
| Length | 23.32 m (76.5 ft) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 2.0 |
| Max Speed (km/h) | 2,123 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 15,880 m (52,102 ft) |
| Range | 3,700 km (2,298 mi) |
| Engine | 2× General Electric J79-GE-8 afterburning turbojets |
| Crew | 2 |
| Status | Retired |
Overview
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a carrier-based supersonic bomber designed for the United States Navy. It was one of the largest and fastest aircraft ever to operate from aircraft carriers, and later became the Navy’s premier tactical reconnaissance platform as the RA-5C.
Design & Development
The Vigilante was remarkably advanced for its era, featuring a fly-by-wire system, differential slab tailplane, and a unique linear bomb bay that ejected weapons rearward between the engines. It had a sophisticated AN/ASB-12 Bombing/Navigation system, one of the first digital computers used in a combat aircraft.
Operational History
Originally designed as a Mach 2 nuclear strike bomber, the A-5A entered service in 1961 aboard USS Enterprise. The nuclear strike role was transferred to submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and most Vigilantes were converted to the RA-5C reconnaissance variant. The RA-5C served extensively during the Vietnam War, conducting high-speed reconnaissance runs over heavily defended targets. It suffered one of the highest loss rates of any Navy aircraft in Vietnam.
Capabilities
- Mach 2+ speed from a carrier deck
- Advanced AN/ASB-12 digital navigation system
- Multi-sensor reconnaissance suite (RA-5C)
- Integrated Electronic Counter Measures (ECM)
- All-weather capability
Armament & Weapons
- A-5A: 1× Mk 28 nuclear bomb (internal linear bay)
- RA-5C: Unarmed reconnaissance variant with cameras, SLAR, ECM
- No internal gun
Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast was the A-5 Vigilante?
The A-5 could reach Mach 2.1, making it one of the fastest carrier-based aircraft ever built.
What happened to the A-5 bomber role?
The nuclear strike mission was transferred to Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and most A-5s became RA-5C reconnaissance aircraft.
How many A-5 Vigilantes were lost in Vietnam?
27 RA-5C Vigilantes were lost in combat during the Vietnam War, one of the highest loss rates per aircraft type.