Aircraft Gallery
RA-5 Vigilante
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 2
Length: 76 ft 6 in (23.32 m)
Wingspan: 53 ft 0 in (16.16 m)
Height: 19 ft 4 3⁄4 in (5.91 m)
Wing area: 700 sq ft (65.1 m2
Empty weight: 32,714 lb (14,870 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J79-GE-8 afterburning turbojets
Maximum speed: Mach 2.0 (1,149 knots, 1,320 mph, 2,123 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,200 m)
Combat radius: 1,121 nmi[dubious – discuss] (1,289 mi, 2,075 km)
Service ceiling: 52,100 ft (15,880 m)
Rate of climb: 8,000 ft/min (40.6 m/s)
The A-5 Vigilante was originally developed as a supersonic nuclear bomber, but submarines had taken on the mission when the A-5 entered service in 1964. Fortunately, the Vigilante’s excellent performance lent itself to the reconnaissance role. A special ‘canoe’ fitted to the belly housed not only cameras, but infrared sensors, electronic surveillance devices, side-looking radar, and defensive electronic jammers. Vigilante’s saw extensive service in the Vietnam War, flying hazarduous pre- and post-bombing raid reconnaissance and surveillance flights.
