View source for LTV A-7 Corsair II

{{Short description|American attack aircraft family}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= A-7 Corsair II
 |image= File:A-7E Corsair II of VA-146 in flight on 16 November 1974 (NNAM.1996.253.7100.039).jpg
 |caption= United States Navy A-7E from [[VFA-146|VA-146]]
 |type= [[Attack aircraft]]
 |national_origin= United States
 |manufacturer= [[Ling-Temco-Vought]]
 |first_flight= 26 September 1965
 |introduction= 1 February 1967
 |retired= 1991 (USN, USAF), 1993 (ANG) <br />1999 ([[Portuguese Air Force]]) <br />2014 ([[Hellenic Air Force]])
 |status=Retired
 |primary_user= [[United States Navy]] (historical)<!--Limit one (1) primary user. Top 4 users listed in 'primary user' and 'more users' fields based on number of their fleets. -->
 |more_users= [[United States Air Force]] (historical)<br />[[Portuguese Air Force]] (historical)<br />[[Hellenic Air Force]] (historical)<!-- Limit is three (3) in 'more users' field, four (4) total users with primary user. See Operators section below for others. Please separate with<br />. -->
 |produced= 1965–1984
 |number_built= 1,545<ref name="bomber 242"/>
 |developed_from= [[Vought F-8 Crusader]]
 |variants= [[LTV A-7P Corsair II]] <br />[[Vought YA-7F]]
}}

The '''LTV A-7 Corsair II''' is an American carrier-capable subsonic light [[attack aircraft]] designed and manufactured by [[Ling-Temco-Vought]] (LTV).

The A-7 was developed during the early 1960s as replacement for the [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]]. Its design was derived from the [[Vought F-8 Crusader]]; in comparison with the F-8, the A-7 is both smaller and restricted to subsonic speeds, its airframe being simpler and cheaper to produce. Following a competitive bid by Vought in response to the [[United States Navy]]'s (USN) ''VAL'' (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) requirement, an initial contract for the type was issued on 8 February 1964. Development was rapid, first flying on 26 September 1965 and entering squadron service with the USN on 1 February 1967; by the end of that year, A-7s were being deployed overseas for the [[Vietnam War]].

Initially adopted by USN, the A-7 proved attractive to other services, soon being adopted by the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) and the [[Air National Guard]] (ANG) to replace their aging [[Douglas A-1 Skyraider]] and [[North American F-100 Super Sabre]] fleets. Improved models of the A-7 would be developed, typically adopting more powerful engines and increasingly capable avionics. American A-7s would be used in various major conflicts, including the [[Invasion of Grenada]], [[1986 United States bombing of Libya|Operation El Dorado Canyon]], and the [[Gulf War]]. The type was also used to support the development of the [[Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk]].

The A-7 was also exported to [[Greece]] in the 1970s and to [[Portugal]] in the late 1980s. The USAF and USN opted to retire their remaining examples of the type in 1991, followed by the ANG in 1993 and the [[Portuguese Air Force]] in 1999. The A-7 was largely replaced by newer generation fighters such as the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]] and the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]]. The final operator, the [[Hellenic Air Force]], withdrew the last A-7s during 2014.

==Development==
===Origins===
In 1960, officials within the [[United States Navy]] (USN) began to consider the need to replace its existing fleet of [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]], a light attack aircraft.<ref name="bomber 238"/> At that time, it was not clear that the A-4 would eventually remain in production until 1979; furthermore, according to aviation authors [[Bill Gunston]] and Peter Gilchrist, some figures believed there to be an unmet requirement for a more capable attack platform that could routinely attain [[supersonic]] speeds, carry heavier payloads, and fly further than its predecessors. Proponents of a new attack aircraft included [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Robert McNamara]], who urged the Navy's consideration on the matter.<ref name="bomber 238">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|p=238}}</ref>

In December 1962, the ''Sea-Based Air Strike Forces'' (SBASF) study group started examining detailed performance and cost evaluations on the topic.<ref name="bomber 238"/> The group analyzed a total of 144 hypothetical aircraft to support their findings. According to Gunston and Gilchrist, a major finding from these studies was that a subsonic aircraft would achieve superior performance to a supersonic one.<ref name="bomber 238"/> By foregoing a supersonic capability, the airframe could be smaller, cheaper, and easier to manufacture; considerably larger quantities of such an attack platform could be procured over a supersonic counterpart. Development speed was also increased by sticking to subsonic speeds, which was a further advantage.<ref name="bomber 238"/> A particular emphasis was placed on the accurate delivery of weapons, which would reduce the munitions costs per target.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

On 17 May 1963, these criteria were formulated into a draft requirement, known as ''VAL'' (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light).<ref name="Swan Navy 90p460">{{harvnb|Swanborough|Bowers|1990|p=460}}</ref> On 29 May 1963, the [[request for proposal]]s (RFP) associated with the requirement was issued.<ref name="bomber 238"/> To minimize costs, all proposals had to be based on existing designs.<ref name="ai382p143">{{harvnb|''Air International'' March 1982|p=143}}</ref> Accordingly, [[Vought]], [[Douglas Aircraft Company|Douglas Aircraft]], [[Grumman]] and [[North American Aviation]] chose to respond.<ref name="ai382p143"/> The Vought proposal was based on their successful [[Vought F-8 Crusader|F-8 Crusader]] fighter and sharing a similar configuration; however, it had a shorter airframe with a rounded nose, giving the aircraft a "stubbier" appearance.<ref name="Swan Navy 90p460"/>

All bids were received by September 1963 and the evaluation process was completed in early November of that year.<ref name="bomber 238"/> On 8 February 1964, funding for VAL was approved by [[United States Congress|Congress]], enabling the programme to proceed; three days later, Vought's submission was selected as the winner.<ref name="bomber 238"/> On 19 March 1964, Vought received a contract from the Navy for the manufacture of the initial batch of aircraft, designated ''A-7''.<ref name="Swan Navy 90p460"/> On 22 June 1964, the mock-up review took place.<ref name="bomber 238"/> In 1965, the A-7 received the name ''Corsair II''; Vought had previously produced three aircraft known as "Corsair". During the 1920s, they had produced the [[Vought O2U Corsair|O2U Corsair]] biplane scout and observation aircraft and the [[Vought SBU Corsair|SBU Corsair]] scout bomber of the 1930s. During [[World War II]], the firm made the successful [[Vought F4U Corsair|F4U Corsair]]. The name ''Corsair II'' reflects the well-known F4U Corsair, which famously served as a capable [[Fighter-bomber|fighter bomber]] in [[World War II]] and the [[Korean War]]. It was supposed to establish a lineage between the aircraft from the same manufacturer and intended for the same ground attack role.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

===Into production===
[[File:A-7A mockup NAN9-64.jpg|thumb|The first A-7 mock-up in 1964]]

On 27 September 1965, the first A-7A performed the type's [[maiden flight]].<ref name="bomber 238"/><ref name="Dorr p61">{{harvnb|Dorr|1987|p=61}}</ref> On 2 November 1965, Vought publicly demonstrated the first pair of A-7As to 1,000 guests; test pilot John Conrad demonstrated the aircraft's ability to perform rapid rolls even while laden with a payload of six {{cvt|250|lb}} and twelve {{cvt|500|lb}} bombs. A Navy spokesperson acknowledged the A-7's ability to carry double the bombload of an A-4E, or the same payload over twice its maximum distance.<ref name="bomber 2389"/>

The flight test program proceeded at a relatively rapid pace, during which no major setbacks were uncovered or meaningful delays were incurred. According to Gunston and Gilchrist, there were some naval officials that sought to slow the program down so that the A-7's avionics systems could be revised for greater capabilities, but this preference had been overridden by a perceived urgency to getting the type into service.<ref name="bomber 240">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|p=240}}</ref> On 14 October 1966, enough aircraft had been delivered to the Navy that the first squadron could be formed.<ref name="bomber 238"/> The first A-7 squadrons attained operational status on 1 February 1967; these were able to commence overseas combat operations in the escalating [[Vietnam War]] during December of that year.<ref name="Swan Navy 90 p461">{{harvnb|Swanborough|Bowers|1990|p=461}}</ref>

The June 1964 contract had ordered the completion of seven development aircraft and 35 production-standard fighter bombers.<ref name="bomber 239"/> A follow-up contract, placed during September 1965, ordered 140 more aircraft. A third contract for 17 aircraft led to a total of 199 A-7A aircraft being manufactured.<ref name="bomber 239"/> As the original version was found to be underpowered, a large order for 196 aircraft of the improved ''A-7B'' variant, equipped with the more powerful [[Pratt & Whitney TF30]]-8 engine, was placed. Further variants of the type would be ordered, including the ''A-7D'' for the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF), during 1966.<ref name="bomber 239"/> Partially due to a shortage of engines, the [[Allison TF41]]-A-2, a [[licensed production|licensed]] derivative of the [[Rolls-Royce Spey]] engine, powered the A-7D.<ref name="bomber 239">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|p=239}}</ref> The adoption of a British engine caused some political controversy on both sides of the [[Atlantic]].<ref name="bomber 240"/>

===Further development===

====United States Air Force A-7D====
[[File:445th Flight Test Squadron YA-7D Corsair II 67-14582 (RS View).jpg|thumb|YA-7D-1-CV AF Serial No. ''67-14582'', the first USAF YA-7D, 2 May 1968. Note the Navy-style refueling probe (retracted beside the cockpit in the standard position, not the air test data probe on the nose cone, which is part of the flight testing equipment) and the modified Navy [[Bureau Number]] used as its USAF tail number.|alt=]]

The [[United States Army]] has not been permitted to operate fixed-wing combat aircraft since the establishment of an independent United States Air Force (USAF) in 1947. To meet its need for close air support of its troops in South Vietnam, the Army pressured the Air Force to procure a specialized subsonic close air support fixed-wing aircraft that would suit its needs better than the general-purpose supersonic aircraft that the USAF preferred.<ref name="A-7D">Munzenmaier 2009.</ref>{{pn|date=September 2023}}

The Vought A-7 seemed to be a relatively quick and inexpensive way to satisfy this need. However, the USAF was initially reluctant to take on yet another Navy-designed aircraft, but Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara was insistent. On 5 November 1965, [[Secretary of the Air Force]] [[Harold Brown (Secretary of Defense)|Harold Brown]] and USAF Chief of Staff General [[John P. McConnell (general)|John P. McConnell]] announced that they had decided to order a version of the Corsair II, designated A-7D, for the [[Tactical Air Command]].<ref name="A-7D"/>{{pn|date=September 2023}}

The A-7D differed from the Navy's Corsair II in several ways. For one, the USAF insisted on significantly more power for its Corsair II version, and it selected the Allison TF41-A-1 turbofan engine, which was a license-built version of the Rolls-Royce Spey. It offered a thrust of {{cvt|14500|lbf|N}}, over {{cvt|2000|lbf|N}} greater than that of the TF30 that powered the Navy's Corsair IIs. Other changes included a head up display, a new avionics package, and an M61A1 rotary cannon in place of the two single-barreled 20-mm cannon. Also included was a computerized navigation/weapons delivery system with AN/APQ-126 radar and a head-up display.<ref name="A-7D"/>{{pn|date=September 2023}}<ref name="ACPp528">{{harvnb|Wagner|1982|p=528}}</ref>

[[File:355th Tactical Fighter Squadron A-7D Corsair IIs in formation.jpg|thumb|A-7D-7-CV Corsair IIs ''70-0976'', ''70-0989'' and ''70-0970'' of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing in the skies over Southeast Asia. ''{{'}}976'' and ''{{'}}989'' were retired to AMARC in 1992, ''{{'}}970'' is on permanent display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]], Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.]]
Two YA-7D prototypes were completed with TF30-P-6 engines, and the first of these flew on 6 April 1968. The first Spey-powered A-7D (''67-14854'') flew for the first time on 26 September 1968. The seventeenth production aircraft introduced a provision for boom flight refueling in place of the Navy's retractable starboard-side probe/drogue system, with the boom receptacle being on the top of the fuselage behind the cockpit and offset to port.<ref name="A-7D"/>{{pn|date=September 2023}}<ref name="ACPp528"/>

====Improved A-7E====
[[File:A-7E Corsair VA-192 1971.jpg|thumb|A [[VFA-192|VA-192]] A-7E over Vietnam. This aircraft was lost on 2 November 1972.]]

The Navy was sufficiently impressed with the increased power offered by the A-7D Spey engine used by the Air Force, and decided to use this engine for its own version of the Corsair II. The designation A-7E was assigned, and this version was to succeed the A-7B in production. However, there were delays in the deliveries of the TF41-A-2 engine specified for the A-7E, so the first 67 aircraft of the order were delivered with the TF30-P-8 engine.<ref name="A-7C_SAC">{{cite web |url=http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-7C_Corsair_II_SAC_-_April_1972.pdf |title=Standard Aircraft Characteristics: A-7C |publisher=NAVAIR |date=April 1972 |access-date=2019-10-19 |archive-date=11 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911040247/http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/A-7C_Corsair_II_SAC_-_April_1972.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> These aircraft had all of the other improvements planned for the A-7E, including the improved avionics and the M61 rotary cannon, and were re-designated A-7C after delivery.<ref name="Swan Navy 90 p461"/>

During 1967, the Navy decided to cancel its order for the A-7B, resulting in 257 aircraft less of this variant being constructed.<ref name="bomber 240"/> Taking its place, the ''A-7E'', the definitive model of the aircraft, was specified and placed into production. This variant integrated several of the improvements of the USAF's A-7D, including the TF41 engine and much of its avionics; however, the engine was revised for slightly more thrust and the communications modified for compatibility with naval systems.<ref name="bomber 2401">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|pp=240–1}}</ref> On 25 November 1968, the first A-7E conducted its first flight; a total of 535 aircraft of this variant would be manufactured.<ref name="bomber 241">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|p=241}}</ref> During the 1970s and 1980s, several specialised models, such as the ''TA-7C'' for training and ''EA-7L'' for [[electronic warfare]], were developed as well.<ref name="bomber 2412">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|pp=241–2}}</ref> During 1983, the final delivery of a new-build A-7 took place.<ref name="bomber 242">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|p=242}}</ref>

==Design==
The LTV A-7 Corsair II was a carrier-capable subsonic attack fighter. It was a derivative of the Vought F-8 Crusader, an earlier fighter; compared to the Crusader, it had a shorter, broader fuselage, and a longer-span wing but without the Crusader's [[Variable-incidence wing|variable-incidence feature]]. The A-7's wing was not only larger but had reduced sweepback, as well as six [[hardpoint|pylons]] with the carriage of up to {{cvt|15000|lb}} of bombs or other equipment.<ref name="bomber 2389">{{harvnb|Gunston|Gilchrist|1993|pp=238–9}}</ref> According to Gunston and Gilchirst, there were no common structural features shared between the two aircraft despite their visual similarity and shared heritage.<ref name="bomber 238"/>

The A-7 had fully powered flight controls, as did the F-8.<ref name="bomber 239"/> However, conventional outboard [[aileron]]s were used (instead of the drooping ailerons mounted inboard of the wing-fold of the F-8 and doubling as flaps when flaps were deployed), along with large [[slotted flap]]s on the wing's inboard area; the wing fold was between the flaps and ailerons. The wing [[leading edge]] was fixed and had a [[Leading-edge extension#Dogtooth extension|dog-tooth]] discontinuity.<ref name="bomber 239"/> A large air brake was fitted on the underside of the aircraft. The three-unit [[landing gear]] retracted into the fuselage; the twin-wheel nose gear was steerable and stressed for [[Assisted take-off|catapult-assisted take-offs]].<ref name="bomber 239"/>

[[File:A-7As VA-147 taking off from NAS Lemoore 1967.jpg|thumb|left|[[VFA-147|VA-147]] was the first operational U.S. Navy A-7 squadron, beginning in 1967.]]
To achieve the required range, initial versions of the A-7 were powered by a single Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-6 [[turbofan]] engine, which produced {{cvt|11350|lbf|kN}} of thrust.<ref name="Swan Navy 90p460"/> It had replaced the [[afterburner]]-equipped [[Pratt & Whitney J57]]-P-20A [[turbojet]] engine of the F-8.<ref name="bomber 2389"/> The same engine had also powered several other combat aircraft of the era, including the [[General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark]] and early [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat]]s. The TF30-P-6 did not require an afterburner for its subsonic role.<ref name="bomber 238"/>

Later versions of the A-7 used different engines; according to Gunston and Gilchrist, this was largely due to production difficulties in keeping up with numerous military and civil demands.<ref name="bomber 239"/> These new powerplants included the more powerful Pratt & Whitney TF30-8 and the Allison TF41-A-2 engines, a licensed model of the Rolls-Royce Spey engine. The TF41 corrected issues that had troubled initial A-7 operations, such as severe [[compressor stall]]s and low thrust.<ref name="bomber 239"/> The Air Force A-7D had self-contained starting using internal batteries and a gas turbine starter. The Navy A-7E used an air turbine starter driven by an external air supply.

Air was fed to the engine through ducting from a simple nose inlet, similar to that on the F-8, despite the potential hazard it posed to flight deck personnel.<ref name="bomber 239"/> An [[aerial refueling]] probe was mounted on the righthand side of the nose.<ref name="bomber 239"/> Two [[Aircraft cannon|cannons]] were installed on the underside of the nose. For self-defense against aerial threats, the A-7, in addition to the cannons, had a mounting for [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] [[air-to-air missile]]s on either side of the fuselage.<ref name="bomber 239"/> Later variants had the two cannons replaced with a single [[M61 Vulcan|M61A1 Vulcan]] rotary cannon, along with other improvements.<ref name="bomber 239"/> To reduce vulnerability to ground fire the flying control hydraulic systems were triplicated, other systems duplicated and much of the fuselage had armor protection.<ref>{{harvnb|Gunston|1974|p=239}}</ref>

The A-7 was fitted with an [[AN/APQ-116]] radar, later followed by the AN/APQ-126, which was integrated into the ILAAS digital navigation system. The radar also fed an IBM navigation and weapons delivery computer which made possible accurate delivery of bombs from a greater stand-off distance, greatly improving survivability compared with faster aircraft such as the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]].<ref>{{cite book |first1=Thomas A. |last1=Alspaugh |first2=Stuart R. |last2=Faulk |first3=Kathryn L. |last3=Heninger Britton |first4=R. Alan |last4=Parker |first5=David L. |last5=Parnas |first6=John E. |last6=Shore |chapter=1. The TC-2 Computer |title=Software Requirements for the A-7E Aircraft |publisher=Naval Research Laboratory |year=1992 |id=NTIS ADA255746, NRL/FR/5530—92-9194 |quote=The A-7 software is required to run on the [[IBM System/4 Pi|IBM 4PI TC-2]] computer.}}</ref> It was the first U.S. aircraft to have a modern [[head-up display]], (made by [[Marconi Electronic Systems|Marconi]]-[[Elliott Brothers (computer company)|Elliott]]),<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1974/1974%20-%201837.html "Avionics: HUDAVAC."] flightglobal.com. Retrieved: 13 October 2010.</ref> now a standard instrument, which displayed information such as dive angle, airspeed, altitude, drift and aiming reticule. The integrated navigation system also had another innovation—the projected map display system (PMDS) which accurately showed aircraft position on two different map scales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%202885.html |title=procurement executive &#124; avionics industry &#124; avionics survey &#124; 1973 &#124; 2885 &#124; Flight Archive |publisher=Flightglobal.com |access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref>

The A-7 had more modern avionics and systems than contemporary aircraft. This included data link capabilities that, among others, provided "hands-off" carrier landing capability when used with its approach power compensator (APC) or auto throttle. Other notable and advanced equipment was a projected map display located just below the radar scope. The map display was slaved to the inertial navigation system and provided a high-resolution map image of the aircraft's position superimposed over TPC/JNC charts. Moreover, when slaved to the all-axis auto pilot, the inertial navigation system could fly the aircraft "hands off" to up to nine individual waypoints. Typical inertial drift was minimal for newly manufactured models and the inertial measurement system accepted flyover, radar, and TACAN updates.<ref>{{harvnb|NAVAIR 01-45AAE-1|pp=8-48–8-148}}</ref>

==Operational history==
===Introduction and early operations===
Initial operational basing/homeporting for USN A-7 squadrons was at [[NAS Cecil Field]], Florida for Atlantic Fleet units and [[NAS Lemoore]], California for Pacific Fleet units. This was in keeping with the role of these bases in already hosting the A-4 Skyhawk attack squadrons that would eventually transition to the A-7.

[[File:F4U 7 AND CORSAIR 11.JPG|thumb|[[Lynn Garrison]] in a [[Vought F4U Corsair|Chance Vought F4U-7 Corsair]] leads A-7 Corsair IIs of [[VFA-147|VA-147]], over NAS Lemoore, California on 7 July 1967 prior to the A-7's first deployment to Vietnam on USS ''Ranger''. The A-7A "NE-300" is the aircraft of the Air Group Commander (CAG) of Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2).]]
From 1967 to 1971, a total of 27 US Navy squadrons took delivery of four different A-7A/B/C/E models. The Vought plant in Dallas, Texas, employed up to 35,000 workers who turned out one aircraft a day for several years to support the navy's carrier-based needs for Vietnam and SE Asia and commitments to NATO in Europe. In 1974, when {{USS|Midway|CV-41|6}} became the first aircraft carrier to be homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, two A-7A squadrons assigned to [[Carrier Air Wing Five]] (CVW-5) were moved to [[NAF Atsugi]], Japan. In 1976, these squadrons ([[VA-93 (U.S. Navy)|VA-93]] and [[VA-56 (U.S. Navy)|VA-56]]) finally transitioned to the much more advanced A-7E model.{{citation needed|date=September 2015|reason= 1976 date not cited with verifiable source}} Six Naval Reserve attack squadrons would also eventually transition to the A-7, operating from NAS Cecil Field, Florida; NAS Atlanta/[[Dobbins ARB]], Georgia; [[NAS New Orleans]], Louisiana; [[NAS Alameda]], California and [[NAS Point Mugu]], California. An additional active duty squadron stood up in the 1980s, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 34 ([[VAQ-34]]) at NAS Point Mugu, operating twin-seat TA-7C and EA-7L aircraft with both a pilot and a [[naval flight officer]] in an adversary electronic warfare role.<ref>[http://www.vaq34.com/vaq34/vaqhistory1.htm "Establishment Ceremony: 0900 March 01 1983."] ''VAG 34.'' Retrieved: 2 October 2012.</ref>

Pilots of the early A-7s lauded the aircraft for general ease of flying (with the exceptions of poor stability on crosswind landings and miserable stopping performance on wet runways with an inoperative anti-skid braking system) and excellent forward visibility but noted a lack of engine thrust. This was addressed with A-7B and more thoroughly with A-7D/E. The turbofan engine provided a dramatic increase in fuel efficiency compared with earlier turbojets—the A-7D was said to have [[Thrust specific fuel consumption|specific fuel consumption]] one sixth that of an F-100 Super Sabre at equivalent thrust. An A-7D carrying twelve {{cvt|500|lb}} bombs at {{cvt|480|mph}} at {{cvt|33000|ft}} used only {{cvt|3350|lb}} of fuel per hour. Typical fuel consumption at mission retrograde during aircraft carrier recovery was approximately {{convert|30|lb/min|kg/min}} compared to over {{convert|100|lb/min|kg/min}} for the Phantom F-4J/N series.<ref>{{harvnb|NAVAIR 01-45AAE-1|pp=11-1–11-93}}</ref> The A-7 Corsair II was tagged with the nickname "SLUF" ("'''S'''hort '''L'''ittle '''U'''gly '''F'''ucker") by pilots.<ref>{{harvnb|Brown|1997}}</ref>{{pn|date=September 2023}}

===Southeast Asia use===
[[File:A-7B A-4C CVW-16 CVA-14 1968.jpg|thumb|A-7Bs of [[Carrier Air Wing Sixteen|CVW-16]] on [[USS Ticonderoga (CV-14)|USS ''Ticonderoga'']] in 1968]]

The A-7D first entered service in 1970 with the [[57th Fighter Weapons Wing]] at Luke AFB Arizona, and the [[354th Tactical Fighter Wing]] at [[Myrtle Beach Air Force Base|Myrtle Beach AFB]], South Carolina was equipped with four squadrons of A-7Ds by 1972; the 355th TFW at Davis-Monthan AFB was equipped with four squadrons in 1972, and in 1973, the 23d TFW at England AFB, Louisiana was fully equipped with A-7Ds.<ref name="A-7D"/>{{pn|date=September 2023}}

The 354th TFW first deployed two squadrons of A-7Ds to [[Korat Royal Thai AFB]], Thailand in September 1972 as part of Operation Cornet Dancer, The A-7Ds were quickly assigned the "Sandy mission" of providing air cover for [[Search and Rescue|Combat Search and Rescue]] missions of downed pilots.<ref name="USAFM"/> Taking over from [[Douglas A-1 Skyraider]]s (and adopting their call sign of "Sandy"), the A-7's higher speed was somewhat detrimental for escorting the helicopters but the aircraft's high endurance and durability were an asset and it performed admirably.<ref name="A-7D"/>{{pn|date=September 2023}}

On 18 November 1972, Major Colin A. Clarke led a successful CSAR mission near [[Thanh Hoa]] to rescue a downed [[Republic F-105 Thunderchief]] crew. The mission lasted a total of 8.8 hours during which Clarke and his wingman took a number of hits from 0.50 cal (12.7&nbsp;mm) anti-aircraft fire. For his actions in coordinating the rescue, Clarke was awarded the [[Air Force Cross (United States)|Air Force Cross]], the USAF's second-highest decoration for valor, and his A-7D (AF Serial No. ''70-0970'') was eventually placed on display on 31 January 1992 at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] at [[Wright-Patterson AFB]], Ohio.<ref name="USAFM">[https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196072/ltv-a-7d-corsair-ii/ LTV A-7D Corsair II]. [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]].</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=298 "A-7D 70-970 Factsheet."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203092259/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=298 |date=3 February 2012}} ''National Museum of the United States Air Force''.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=467 | title=Veteran Tributes}}</ref>

[[File:3d Tactical Fighter Squadron Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D-10-CV Corsair II 71-0309.jpg|thumb|3d TFS A-7D-10-CV Corsair II ''71-0309'' at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, 1973]]
With the end of US involvement in South Vietnam, the 354th TFW, deployed at Korat, began flying combat sorties in Cambodia to support the Lon Nol government in support of [[Khmer National Armed Forces]] against the [[Khmer Rouge]]. Rotational deployments began to Korat from the 355th TFW and 23d TFW, with pilots and support personnel beginning six-month deployment cycles. In March 1973, the 354th transferred a squadron of A-7Ds to the 388th TFW, the host wing at Korat RTAFB at the time, which re-established the [[3d Fighter Training Squadron|3d Tactical Fighter Squadron]] and created a permanent USAF A-7D presence in Southeast Asia. A-7Ds from both wings stationed at Korat engaged in combat operations in Cambodia until 15 August 1973 when an A-7D of the deployed [[353d Tactical Fighter Squadron|353d TFS/354th TFW]] carried out the last air support mission. In March 1974, the 354th TFW transferred several more aircraft to the 3d TFS prior to its return to Myrtle Beach AFB.

The USAF A-7D flew a total of 12,928 combat sorties during the war with only six losses<ref name=Hobson01p268_9/>—the lowest of any U.S. fighter in the theater. The aircraft was second only to [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress]] in the amount of ordnance dropped on [[Hanoi]] and dropped more bombs per sortie with greater accuracy than any other U.S. attack aircraft.<ref name="USAFM"/>

In Vietnam, the hot, humid air robbed all jet engines of power, and even the upgraded A-7D and A-7E fell short of their required power levels when serving in these conditions. Takeoff rolls were lengthy, and fully armed aircraft struggled to reach {{cvt|500|mph}}. For A-7A aircraft, [[hot and high|high-density altitude]] and maximum-weight runway takeoffs often necessitated a "low transition", where the aircraft was intentionally held in "ground effect" a few feet off the runway during gear retraction, and as much as a {{cvt|10|mi}} departure at treetop altitude before reaching a safe flap-retraction speed. (A-7A wing flap systems were either fully extended or fully retracted. The A-7A flap handle did not have the microswitch feature of later models that permitted the flaps to be slowly raised by several degrees per tap of the flap handle as airspeed slowly increased during max-weight takeoffs.)<ref>{{harvnb|NAVAIR 01-45AAA-1|pp=1–68}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|NAVAIR 01-45AAE-1|pp=1–66}}</ref>

Carrier catapult launches at maximum weight under these performance-robbing conditions were not significantly better and were characterized by the aircraft decelerating by as much as {{convert|20|kn|km/h}} immediately after launch. As a result, A-7A units operated their aircraft {{convert|4000|lb}} below the rated [[maximum takeoff weight]] for the A-7E.<ref>{{harvnb|NAVAIR 01-45AAA-1|pp=1–233}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|NAVAIR 01-45AAE-1|pp=1–177}}</ref>

In a sortie against the [[Thanh Hóa Bridge]] on 6 October 1972, four A-7Cs from [[VFA-82|VA-82]] successfully delivered 8,000&nbsp;lb of high explosives with two aircraft carrying two {{cvt|2000|lb}} [[AGM-62 Walleye|Walleyes]], while two others also carried 2,000&nbsp;lb in [[Mark 84 bomb|Mk 84 GP bombs]]. In a simultaneous attack, the center piling on the bridge's west side was hit and broke the span in half. After this, the Thanh Hoa bridge was considered permanently destroyed and removed from the target list.

The Spey-powered A-7E entered service in Southeast Asia in May 1970 with [[VFA-146|VA-146]] and [[VFA-147|VA-147]] deployed aboard {{USS|America|CV-66|6}}. The A-7E participated in numerous close-air support missions over both North and South Vietnam, with its state-of-the-art bombing and navigation system being particularly reliable and accurate. Most air wings operating A-4 Skyhawks and early A-7s were re-equipped with A-7Es. The A-7E participated in the mining of [[Haiphong]] harbor in 1972, and played a vital role in Operations [[Operation Linebacker|Linebacker I]] and [[Operation Linebacker II|Linebacker II]] that led up to the formal end of US involvement in the Vietnam War on 24 January 1973.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

On 15 May 1975, A-7E aircraft operating from {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|6}}, in conjunction with A-7D aircraft assigned to the 3d TFS at Korat RTAFB, provided air cover in what is considered the last battle of the Vietnam War, the recovery of [[Mayagüez incident|SS ''Mayagüez'']] after it was hijacked by Khmer Rouge gunboats.<ref>{{cite book |first=Ralph |last=Wetterhahn |title=The Last Battle: The Mayaguez Incident and the End of the Vietnam War. |publisher=Plume |location=New York |year=2002 |isbn=0-452-28333-7 }}{{page needed|date=September 2020}}</ref>

A total of 98 USN A-7 Corsairs were lost during the war.<ref name=Hobson01p268_9>{{harvnb|Hobson|2001|pp=268–9}}</ref>

===Post-Vietnam era===

====Air National Guard====
[[File:A-7D Corsair IIs of the 124th Tactical Fighter Squadron and 175th Tactical Fighter Squadrons fly in formation during NATO exercise.jpg|thumb|upright|A-7 Corsair II of the Iowa (IA) and South Dakota (SD) Air National Guard]]

With the pullout of the USAF from its Thailand bases in late 1975, the A-7Ds stationed at Korat initially went to [[Clark AB]], [[Philippines]]. The 3d TFS transitioned from its Corsairs to the F-4E Phantom II and remained at Clark. The A-7Ds were returned to the United States where they were reassigned to several [[Air National Guard]] squadrons.

With the end of the Vietnam War, the Air Force began to transfer its active duty A-7D aircraft to Air National Guard units beginning in 1974. The Corsairs had been, in a sense, a forced acquisition by the USAF in the late 1960s, and the inter-service rivalry of flying a Navy aircraft had led, beginning about 1970, to the development of its own Close Air Support aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA442118|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409222823/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA442118|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 April 2013|title=The A-10 Warthog, The Best Deal the Air Force Never Wanted}}</ref> In 1974, selection of the [[Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II]] was made as the replacement for the A-7D. The first A-10As were received by the 354th TFW in 1977 at Myrtle Beach AFB; the 355th TFW at Davis-Monthan AFB began replacing its A-7Ds in 1978, and the 23d TFW at England AFB in 1979. As the A-10s were received, the A-7Ds were transferred from the USAF to the [[National Guard Bureau]] for subsequent re-allocation.<ref name="AFHRA">{{cite web|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/organizationalrecords/wingsandgroups.asp|title=AFHRA Wings and Groups 354th TFW, 355th TFW and 23d TFW organizational records|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211030749/http://www.afhra.af.mil/organizationalrecords/wingsandgroups.asp|archive-date=11 February 2013}}</ref> By 1981, when the 23d TFW sent its last A-7Ds to [[Tonopah Test Range Airport]], Nevada for clandestine use in the [[Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk]] development program, fifteen ANG squadrons were equipped with the A-7D Corsair II.

However, Congressional decisions added additional funding to the DOD FY 1975 and FY 1976 budgets for the procurement of additional A-7Ds, primarily to keep the LTV production line in Dallas open and the workers employed in the wake of post-Vietnam DOD procurement reductions. As a result of these unplanned acquisitions, the Air Force assigned these new aircraft (all with 1975 tail numbers) to the Arizona Air National Guard 152nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Tucson, which operated the Air National Guard transition training school for Corsair II pilots.<ref name="A-7D"/> In 1978, a two-seat A-7 trainer was developed by LTV for the Air Force, designated the A-7K. One prototype aircraft was built by modifying an existing A-7D airframe; however, production A-7Ks were new builds with 1979 and 1980 tail numbers. The A-7K was a fully combat-capable aircraft as well as a dual-control training aircraft. Most of the A-7K trainers went to the transition school at Tucson, with the squadrons' A-7Ds being re-distributed to other ANG squadrons. However, all ANG squadrons were assigned an A-7K trainer as well as their complement of A-7Ds.

During the post-Vietnam era, the Air National Guard frequently deployed its Corsairs on annual operational exercises. Deployments were made to [[NATO]] and [[USAFE]] bases in West Germany and Denmark as part of training exercises along with the [[USAREUR]] Reforger training exercises.<ref name="A-7D"/>

Beginning in 1974, active-duty squadrons from Myrtle Beach, England and Davis-Monthan Air Force Bases began deployments of A-7Ds to Howard AFB, Panama to train with Army and Naval forces defending the [[Panama Canal]]. These deployments, named "Coronet Cove" generally were of ninety (90) days, and were rotated among squadrons of the three wings in the United States. Beginning in 1977, with the phaseout of the A-7D with active-duty units, the Air National Guard began taking over this mission. During [[United States invasion of Grenada|Operation Urgent Fury]], various ANG units deployed A-7Ds to support [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] and the [[82nd Airborne Division]] for contingency operations in [[Grenada]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. and Allied Forces for Operation Urgent Fury The Invasion of Grenada 1983 |url=https://www.fireandfury.com/orbats/modgrenadaus.pdf |website=fireandfury.com}}</ref> In December 1989, the South Dakota [[175th Tactical Fighter Squadron]] and Ohio [[112th Tactical Fighter Squadron]] were at Howard AFB on a Coronet Cove deployment when President [[George H. W. Bush]] announced Operation Just Cause, the United States Invasion of Panama. The ANG squadrons participated in the invasion, flying 34 combat missions, completing 34 sorties, expended 71.7 flying hours and expended 2,715 rounds of ordnance.<ref name="A-7D"/>

In the [[1981 Muñiz Air National Guard Base attack]], on 12 January, 10 A-7Ds of the [[198th Tactical Fighter Squadron]], [[Puerto Rico Air National Guard]] were destroyed or damaged in a terrorist attack by the [[Boricua Popular Army]] at [[Muñiz Air National Guard Base]] in the largest attack ever on an American military station since the Vietnam War.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F04E0D6173BF931A25752C0A967948260&n=Top%2fNews%2fU.S.%2fU.S.%20States%2c%20Territories%20and%20Possessions%2fPuerto%20Rico "Around the Nation: 8 Military Jets Destroyed At Air Base in Puerto Rico."] ''The New York Times,'' 12 January 1981. Retrieved: 13 October 2010.</ref> This terrorist attack was largely unreported due to the [[Iran hostage crisis]] at the time.{{cn|date=August 2022}}

====Grenada and Lebanon====
[[File:LTV A-7E Corsair II of VA-15 and VA-87 on the flight deck of USS Independence (CV-62), 7 December 1983 (6381816).jpg|thumb|A-7Es on {{USS|Independence|CV-62|6}} in 1983]]
[[File:A-7E VA-72 on USS America (CV-66) Apr 1986.JPEG|thumb|A-7E of VA-72 on {{USS|America|CV-66|6}} off Libya in April 1986.]]
[[File:A-7E VA-72 over Saudi Fort 1990.JPEG|thumb|A-7E from VA-72 flying over the Saudi desert during Operation Desert Shield]]

Navy A-7E squadrons [[VFA-15|VA-15]] and [[VFA-87|VA-87]], from USS ''Independence'', provided close air support during the [[Invasion of Grenada]], codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, in October 1983.<ref name="Dorr p63">{{harvnb|Dorr|1987|p=63}}</ref>

Navy A-7s also provided air support during the [[Multinational Force in Lebanon|U.S. mission]] in [[Lebanon]] in 1983. An A-7 and an [[A-6 Intruder]] were shot down by [[Syria]]n [[surface-to-air missile]]s (SAM) on 4 December 1983.<ref name="Dorr p63"/> The A-7 pilot, Commander Edward Andrews, managed to guide his failing Corsair over coastal waters before ejecting; he was rescued by a Lebanese fishing boat and safely returned to the U.S. Marines.<ref>{{harvnb|Rausa|1987|p=[https://web.archive.org/web/20041025090956/http://history.navy.mil/download/pistons-jets-09.pdf 34]}}</ref>

====Libya====
On 24 March 1986, during the [[Gulf of Sidra]] dispute with Libya, Libyan air defense operators launched [[S-200 (missile)|SA-5]] missiles at two Fighter Squadron 102 ([[VF-102]]) Grumman F-14 Tomcats from USS ''America'' that were orbiting in international air space on a [[Combat Air Patrol]] (CAP) station. A-7s operating from {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60|6}} responded by launching the first [[AGM-88 HARM]] missiles ever used in combat. On the next day, A-6s attacked Libyan warships approaching the US fleet, while A-7s again launched HARM missiles against Libyan SAM sites.<ref name="IAPR p150">{{harvnb|Mersky|2003|p=150}}</ref>

In April 1986, navy Sixth Fleet A-7Es from VA-72 and VA-46 embarked on board USS ''America'' also participated in [[Operation El Dorado Canyon]], the retaliatory attack on Libya, using HARM and Shrike anti-radar missiles to protect the naval strike force from SAMs.<ref name="IAPR p150"/>

====Service in operations against Iran====
A-7Es operated from [[USS Nimitz|''Nimitz'']] and [[USS Coral Sea (CV-43)|''Coral Sea'']] during [[Operation Eagle Claw]]. The A-7s had an orange stripe enclosed by two black stripes for identification.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Thigpen|first1=Jerry L.|last2=Hobson|first2=James L.|title=The Praetorian STARShip: The Untold Story of the Combat Talon|date=2011|publisher=Air University Press|isbn=978-1780391977|page=210|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nJPUqEmN1ukC&q=Finalized+plan+of+%22Operation+Eagle+Claw%22&pg=PA212|access-date=19 October 2020|archive-date=24 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124012627/https://books.google.com/books?id=nJPUqEmN1ukC&q=Finalized+plan+of+%22Operation+Eagle+Claw%22&pg=PA212|url-status=live}}</ref> A-7Es operated from multiple U.S. Navy aircraft carriers while providing escort for oil tankers in the Persian Gulf during [[Operation Earnest Will]]. A-7Es of [[VFA-22|VA-22]] and [[VFA-94|VA-94]] from the carrier, [[USS Enterprise (CVN-65)|''Enterprise]], sank the [[Iran|Iranian]] frigate [[IRIS Sahand (1969)|''Sahand'']] operating alongside [[Third VA-95 (U.S. Navy)|VA-95]] as part of [[Operation Praying Mantis]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Air View: Operation Praying Mantis | date=May 1989 | url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1989/may/air-view-operation-praying-mantis }}</ref>

====Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm====
While USAF A-7s stayed home in favor of A-10s, the USN deployed two of its last A-7E squadrons to [[Operation Desert Shield]] in August 1990 aboard {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}}, the only carrier of six deployed to Desert Storm to operate the A-7. The navy squadrons [[VA-46 (U.S. Navy)|VA-46]] and [[VA-72 (U.S. Navy)|VA-72]] made the last combat sorties of the A-7 in [[Operation Desert Storm]] flying from the Red Sea to targets throughout Iraq. The A-7 was used both day and night to attack a wide range of heavily defended deep interdiction targets in Iraq as well as "kill boxes" (geographically defined kill zones) in Kuwait, employing a variety of weapons including precision-guided munitions (PGMs), such as the TV-guided Walleye glide bomb, unguided general-purpose bombs, and High Speed Anti-Radiation missiles (HARM). The A-7 was also used as a tanker in numerous in-flight refueling missions.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}}

====Use in F-117 development====
{{see also|1987 Indianapolis Ramada Inn A-7D Corsair II crash}}
The [[4450th Tactical Group]] stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada had the distinction of being the last active USAF unit to operate the A-7 Corsair II. The mission of the 4450th TG was the operational development of the F-117, and the unit needed a surrogate aircraft for pilot training and practice. A-7Ds and A-7Ks were obtained from various active duty and air national guard squadrons and were assigned initially to the "(P)" or "Provisional" unit of the 4450th Tactical Group, redesignated the 4451st Tactical Squadron in January 1983.<ref name="F-117">{{harvnb|Holder|Wallace|2000}}</ref>

The A-7s were used as a deception and training aircraft by the group between 1981 and 1989. It was selected because it demanded a similar pilot workload expected in the F-117A, was single seat, and many of the F-117A pilots had F-4 or F-111 backgrounds. A-7s were used for pilot training before any F-117As had been delivered, to bring all pilots to a common flight training base line. Later, the A-7s were used as [[chase plane]]s on F-117A tests and other weapon tests at the Nellis Range.<ref name="F-117"/>

[[File:4451st Tactical Squadron A-7D Corsair II 69-6241.jpg|thumb|A-7D-5-CV AF Serial No. ''69-6241'' of the 4451st Test Squadron / 4450th Tactical Group at [[Nellis AFB]], Nevada in 1984]]
A-7 flight operations began in June 1981 concurrent with the very first YF-117A flights. The A-7s wore a unique "LV" tailcode (for Las Vegas) and had a dark purple/black paint motif. The A-7s were based officially at [[Nellis Air Force Base]] and were maintained by the 4450th Maintenance Squadron.<ref name="F-117"/> In addition to providing an excuse for the 4450th's existence and activities, the A-7s were also used to maintain pilot currency, particularly in the early stages when very few production F-117As were available. The pilots learned to fly chase on F-117A test and training flights, perform practice covert deployments, and practice any other purpose that could not be accomplished using F-117As, given the tight restrictions imposed on all F-117A operations.<ref name="F-117"/>

Some A-7s operated from the Tonopah Test Range Airport, about {{convert|30|mi}} southeast of [[Tonopah, Nevada]] where the F-117s were being operationally tested. As a deception operation, care was taken to ensure that F-117As were never left parked outside aircraft hangars during daylight hours. However, A-7s were deliberately and routinely left outside hangars for the benefit of any orbiting Soviet [[spy satellite]]s. Soviet intelligence agencies examining spy satellite imagery of the base would undoubtedly notice the A-7s parked on the Tonopah flight line, and would not be particularly interested. The intention of this deception was to convince the Soviets that Tonopah operated nothing more exciting than some obsolete A-7 Corsairs. The cover story to the public was that the A-7s were flying "radar calibration missions" out of Tonopah. Also, in order to help maintain the deception, about five or six A-7Ds were deployed to South Korea in 1984 and 1988. In South Korea they trained with the Army for about a month in [[Close Air Support]] operations. It appeared to the Soviets that it was a real squadron with a combat mission because the aircraft could be seen having munitions loaded and performing training missions.<ref name="F-117"/>

There were approximately 20 A-7D aircraft used in developing the F-117, including several two-seat A-7K trainers. In January 1989, three months after the USAF admitted the F-117A existed, the A-7s were retired to the [[Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center]] (AMARC) and were replaced by [[Northrop T-38 Talon|AT-38B Talons]] as training aircraft and the 4451st TS was deactivated.<ref name="F-117"/>

===Training, retirement and foreign users===
[[File:445th Flight Test Squadron A-7D Retirement Flyover.jpg|thumb|Prototype YA-7Ds ''67-14582'' and ''67-14584'', along with ''69-6191'' and ''69-6217'' making last flyover retirement formation over [[Edwards AFB]], California, heading to [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|AMARC]], August 1992]]

Pilots quipped that the Corsair "is not very fast, but it sure is slow."<ref>{{harvnb|Higham|Williams|1978}}</ref> For [[dissimilar air combat training]], and aerial demonstrations by the [[Blue Angels]], the Navy would choose the more nimble A-4 Skyhawk as a subsonic maneuvering platform, as some considered the A-7 to be inadequate in air combat, even though it was highly maneuverable. While some questioned its air combat capability it was widely regarded as a highly successful attack aircraft, partly by virtue of being a stable bombing platform. Despite this, the Marine Corps also rejected the Corsair, opting instead for the [[V/STOL]] (Vertical/Short Take Off or Landing) [[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II|AV-8 Harrier]] as its light attack aircraft to replace its A-4F/M Skyhawks.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}}

Greece's [[Hellenic Air Force]] ordered sixty new A-7H aircraft and five TA-7Hs in 1974. The delivery of the airplanes started in 1975 and equipped the [[347th Squadron (HAF)|347]], [[340th Squadron (HAF)|340]], and [[345th Squadron (HAF)|345]] Squadrons. In 1993 the Hellenic Air Force received an additional sixty-two A-7Es and nineteen TA-7C surplus USN airplanes given to the [[335th Squadron (HAF)|335]] and [[336th Bomber Squadron (HAF)|336]] Squadrons. The last A-7Es were retired in October 2014 from the 336th Bomber Squadron.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/36920/greece-to-retire-corsair-iis-by-end-of-the-year |title=Greece to retire Corsair IIs by end of the year |access-date=1 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428135405/http://www.janes.com/article/36920/greece-to-retire-corsair-iis-by-end-of-the-year |archive-date=28 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1976, Pakistan started talks for 110 A-7Es to strengthen its border with India, but the [[Jimmy Carter|Carter]] administration rejected the deal fearing it would intensify an arms race in South Asia with India having recently concluded a $1.6 billion arms deal with the Soviet Union. In 1978, the US instead offered Pakistan 40 [[F-5E Tiger II]] with equipment for US$400 million,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Documents - Office of the Historian |url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v19/d291 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=history.state.gov}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Gunston|1984}}</ref> but Pakistan did not find the deal acceptable and bought the Chinese [[Chengdu J-7|F-7MP/PG]] and [[Nanchang Q-5|A-5C]] instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://quwa.org/2019/10/20/that-time-when-pakistan-sought-the-a-7-corsair-ii/|website=Quwa.org |title=THAT TIME WHEN PAKISTAN SOUGHT THE A-7 CORSAIR II|date=21 October 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Auerbach |first=Stuart |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/09/03/pakistan-forced-to-ground-old-us-fighter-jets/d4409cc4-5d5e-4031-ae57-42828e366052/ |title=Pakistan Forced to Ground Old U.S. Fighter Jets |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=1980-09-03 |accessdate=2022-05-26}}</ref>

[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]]s began replacing the Air National Guard Corsairs beginning in the late 1980s and the last were retired in 1993 by the units at [[Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base]], Ohio; [[Des Moines Air National Guard Base]], Iowa; [[Tulsa Air National Guard Base]], Oklahoma; and [[Springfield Air National Guard Base]], Ohio.

US Navy A-7 Corsairs began being phased out of the fleet during the mid-1980s with the arrival of the [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet]]. A-7 squadrons of the [[United States Navy Reserve]] transitioned concurrent with (but prior to the completion of) all Regular Navy squadrons. The last Navy A-7s were retired by the last fleet operational squadrons (VA-46 and VA-72) in May 1991 shortly after their return from Operation Desert Storm. By the end of 1998, with the exception of some airframes used as static displays, all US A-7s were disposed of by the AMARC.

Some of these surplus aircraft were passed to Greece, Thailand and Portugal. [[Portuguese Air Force]] A-7Ps entered service in 1981 and started being phased-out in 1994 with the arrival of the first batch of F-16A Block 15. The last unit was retired in 1999 after 18 years of service. The Corsair II served for 49 years.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

==Variants==
[[File:LTV A-7A 154345 VA-203 JAX 19.07.76 edited-2.jpg|thumb|A-7A of [[VFA-203|VA-203]], the "Blue Dolphins", at [[NAS Jacksonville]] Florida in 1976]]
[[File:TA-7C VA-174 Dallas 1988.jpeg|thumb|TA-7C of [[Second VA-174 (U.S. Navy)|VA-174]] in 1988]]
[[File:EA-7L VAQ-34 1987.jpeg|thumb|EA-7L of VAQ-34 in 1987]]
[[File:Greek Air Force LTV TA-7G Corsair II departs RIAT Fairford 14thJuly2014 arp.jpg|thumb|[[Hellenic Air Force|Greek Air Force]] LTV TA-7C Corsair II departs the [[Royal International Air Tattoo]], UK, 2014]]

;A-7A
:First production version. Early US Navy Corsair IIs had two 20 mm [[Colt Mk 12 cannon]]s with 250 rounds per gun. Maximum ordnance, carried primarily on the wing pylons, was theoretically {{cvt|15000|lb}}, but was limited by maximum takeoff weight, so the full weapon load could only be carried with greatly reduced internal fuel. This model was equipped with the AN/APN-153 navigational radar, an AN/APQ-115 terrain following radar, and a separate AN/APQ-99 attack radar. 199 built.
;A-7B
:Uprated TF30-P-8 engine with {{cvt|12190|lbf|kN}} of thrust. In 1971, all surviving A-7Bs were further upgraded with the TF30-P-408 engine with {{cvt|13390|lbf|kN}} of thrust. The AN/APQ-115 terrain following radar was replaced with an AN/APQ-116 terrain following radar. 196 built.
;A-7C
:First 67 production A-7Es with TF30-P-8 engines.
;TA-7C
:Two-seat trainer version for US Navy. 24 were converted from A-7Bs, 36 from A-7Cs. In 1984, 49 airframes, including the 8 EA-7Ls, were re-engined with the TF41-A-402 and upgraded to A-7E standard.
;A-7D
:Version built for the US Air Force with a more powerful [[Allison TF41|Allison TF41-A-1]] turbofan engine producing 14,250 lb (63.4 kN) of thrust, and a single [[M61 Vulcan]] 20 mm [[rotary cannon]]. An improved AN/APN-185 navigational radar and an upgraded AN/APQ-126 terrain following radar were fitted. 459 built.
;A-7E
: Effectively an A-7D modified for naval operations, with the same [[Allison TF41|Allison TF41-A-1]] and [[M61 Vulcan]] 20 mm [[rotary cannon]]. Further improvements were an AN/APN-190 navigational radar and AN/APQ-128 terrain following radar in addition to arrester gear and folding wings to allow for carrier operations. 529 built.
;[[Vought YA-7F|YA-7F Strikefighter (A-7D Plus)]]
:Stretched supersonic version of A-7 powered by an F100. It was optimized for the interdiction role, but cancelled after two prototypes were built.
;A-7G
:Proposed version for Switzerland, none built.<ref>{{harvnb|Schürmann|2009}}</ref>
;YA-7E/YA-7H
:Two-seat prototypes built by Ling-Temco-Vought as a private venture.
;A-7H
:Modified A-7E for Greece without air-refueling capability. 60 built.
;TA-7H
:Two-seat trainer version for Greece.
;A-7K
:Two-seat trainer version for Air National Guard. 30 built.
;EA-7L
:8 TA-7Cs modified into electronic aggressor aircraft and used by [[VAQ-34]]. These were upgraded to A-7E mechanical standards in 1984.
;[[LTV A-7P Corsair II|A-7P]]
:US Navy A-7As rebuilt for the [[Portuguese Air Force]]. 44 refurbished with TF30-P-408 engines and an avionics fit similar to the A-7E.
;TA-7P
:Two-seat trainer version for the Portuguese Air Force. 6 were converted from secondhand US Navy A-7As.
;B.HT.1
:({{langx|th|บ.จต.๑}}) [[Royal Thai Armed Forces]] designation for the A-7E.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:A-7E thai navy.jpg|thumb|A Retired A-7E of the Royal Thai Navy in the Royal Thai Air Force Museum]]
{{main|List of LTV A-7 Corsair II operators}}

* {{Flag|Greece}} – Retired in 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airforce.gr/cms/index.php/hellenicairforceunits/250-a-7retirement|title=A-7 Retirement: Araxos AB, 17th October 2014|last=Airforce.gr|website=www.airforce.gr}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Portugal}} – Retired in 1999
* {{Flag|Thailand}} – Non-operational status since 2007
* {{Flag|United States}} – Retired in 1991

==Aircraft on display==
{{main|List of LTV A-7 Corsair II on display}}
[[File:corsair dyaab halls tn.jpg|thumb|Retired A-7 Corsair II in front of the [[Veterans' Museum (Halls, Tennessee)|Veterans' Museum]] in [[Halls, Tennessee]]]]
[[File:356th Tactical Fighter Squadron A-7D 70-970 at USAF Museum Cockpit Front.JPG|thumb|LTV A-7D Corsair II, cockpit]]

==Specifications (A-7E)==
[[File:LTV A-7 Corsair II 3-view line drawing.gif|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the LTV A-7 Corsair II]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83<ref name="JAWA 82-3">{{cite book|last=Taylor|first=John W. R..|title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982–83|year=1983|publisher=Jane's Publishing Company|location=London|isbn=0-7106-0748-2}}</ref> ''Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft'',<ref>{{harvnb|Donald|1997|p=899}}</ref> ''International Directory of Military Aircraft'',<ref>{{harvnb|Frawley|2002}}</ref> ''Combat Aircraft since 1945''<ref>{{harvnb|Wilson|2000|p=141}}</ref>
|prime units?=kts
<!--   General characteristics -->
|genhide=

|crew=1
|capacity=
|length m=14.06
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m=11.8
|span ft=
|span in=
|span note=
|upper span m=
|upper span ft=
|upper span in=
|upper span note=
|mid span m=
|mid span ft=
|mid span in=
|mid span note=
|lower span m=
|lower span ft=
|lower span in=
|lower span note=
|swept m=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept ft=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept in=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept note=
|dia m=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia ft=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia in=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia note=
|width m=7.24
|width ft=<!-- if applicable -->
|width in=<!-- if applicable -->
|width note= wings folded
|height m=4.9
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=34.83
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area sqft=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area note=
|volume m3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume ft3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=[[NACA airfoil|NACA 65A007]] root and tip
|empty weight kg=8676
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=19,050
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note= overload condition.
|fuel capacity={{cvt|1338|USgal|l impgal}} or {{cvt|8697|lb}} internal
|lift kg=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift lb=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift note=
|more general=
<!--   Powerplant -->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Allison TF41-A-2]]
|eng1 type=non-afterburning turbofan engine
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=66.7
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 note=
|power original=
|thrust original=
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->

|eng2 number=
|eng2 name=
|eng2 type=
|eng2 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng2 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng2 note=
|eng2 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng2 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->

|eng3 number=
|eng3 name=
|eng3 type=
|eng3 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng3 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng3 note=
|eng3 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng3 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|more power=

|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=

|rot number=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia m=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia ft=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia in=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqm=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqft=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area note=
<!--   Performance -->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=600
|max speed note=at sea level
::::{{cvt|562|kn|km/h mph}} at {{cvt|5000|ft}} with 12x [[Mk82 bomb]]s
::::{{cvt|595|kn|km/h mph}} at {{cvt|5000|ft|}} after dropping bombs
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=1981
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note= maximum internal fuel
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=2485
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note= with maximum internal and external fuel
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft= 42,000
|ceiling note=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/attack/a7/|title=Aerospaceweb.org - Aircraft Museum - A-7 Corsair II|website=www.aerospaceweb.org}}</ref>
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ms=76.2<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airclassicsmuseum.org/Collection/A-7E%20-%20Cosair.htm |title=A-7E - Cosair |access-date=5 January 2020 |archive-date=15 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115074248/http://www.airclassicsmuseum.org/Collection/A-7E%20-%20Cosair.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|climb rate ftmin=15000
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|sink rate ms=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=77.4
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=0.50 (full internal fuel, no stores)

|more performance=
* '''Sustained maneuvering performance:''' {{cvt|5300|ft}} turning radius at 4.3g and {{cvt|500|kn|km/h mph}} at an All Up Weight (AUW) of {{cvt|28765|lb}}
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt|1705|m}} at {{cvt|42000|lb}}
<!--   Armament -->
|guns=1× [[M61A1 Vulcan]] {{cvt|20|mm|2}} [[rotary cannon]] with 1,030 rounds
|hardpoints=6× under-wing and 2× fuselage pylon stations (for mounting AIM-9 Sidewinder AAMs only)
|hardpoint capacity={{cvt|15000|lb}} total capacity
|hardpoint rockets=4× [[LAU-10]] rocket pods (each with 4× {{cvt|127|mm|2}} [[Zuni rocket]]s)
|hardpoint missiles=<br />
*** 2× [[AIM-9 Sidewinder]] [[air-to-air missile]]
*** 2× [[AGM-45 Shrike]] [[anti-radiation missile]]
*** 2× [[AGM-62 Walleye]] TV-guided [[glide bomb]]
*** 2× [[AGM-65 Maverick]] [[air-to-ground missile]]
*** 2× [[AGM-88 HARM]] anti-radiation missile
*** 2× [[GBU-8| GBU-8 HOBOS]] electro-optically guided glide bomb
|hardpoint bombs=<br />
*** Up to 30× {{cvt|500|lb}} [[Mark 82 bomb]]s or [[Mark 80]] series of [[unguided bomb]]s (including {{cvt|3|kg|lb|order=flip}} and {{cvt|14|kg|lb|order=flip}} practice bombs)
*** [[Paveway]] series of [[laser-guided bomb]]s
*** Up to 4× [[B28 nuclear bomb|B28]], [[B43 nuclear bomb|B43]], [[B57 nuclear bomb|B57]], [[B61 nuclear bomb|B61]] or [[B83 nuclear bomb]]s
|hardpoint other=up to 4 × {{cvt|300|USgal|l impgal}}, {{cvt|330|USgal|l impgal}}, or {{cvt|370|USgal|l impgal}} [[drop tank]]s<ref group=nb>on pylon stations 1,3,6 & 8 which are wet plumbed. Used for ferry flight/extended range/increased loitering time. Often carried a hose and drogue type Buddy Store in addition to drop tanks for use as a tanker aircraft.</ref>
|avionics=
*[[AN/ASN-90(V)]] Inertial reference system
*[[AN/ASN-91(V)]] navigation/weapon delivery computer
*[[AN/APN-190(V)]] Doppler groundspeed and drift detector
* [[Texas Instruments]] [[AN/APQ-126|AN/APQ-126(V)]] [[Terrain-following radar]] (TFR)
*[[AN/AVQ-7(V)]] [[Head-Up Display]] (HUD)
*[[CP-953A/AJQ]] solid state Air Data computer (ADC)
*[[AN/ASN-99]] Projected Map Display (PMD)
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[LTV A-7P Corsair II]]
* [[Vought F-8 Crusader]]
* [[Vought YA-7F]]
|similar aircraft=
<!-- aircraft with similar role, era, and capability -->
* [[Blackburn Buccaneer]]
* [[Grumman A-6 Intruder]]
* [[Mikoyan MiG-27]]
* [[Sukhoi Su-17]]
|lists=
<!-- lists of similar aircraft (aircraft from the same nation, with the same mission profile, etc.) -->
* [[List of attack aircraft]]
* [[Lists of military aircraft of the United States]]
* [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
|see also=
* [[1981 Muñiz Air National Guard Base attack]]
}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite magazine|title=A Corsair by any other name: The Story of Sandy, SLUF and the Little Hummers |magazine=[[Air International]] |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=121–125, 143–146 |date=March 1982 |issn=0306-5634 |ref={{harvid|''Air International'' March 1982}} }}
*{{cite magazine|title=A Corsair by any other name: Sandy, SLUF and the Little Hummers: Part Two |magazine=Air International |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=169–176, 202–203 |date=April 1982 }}
*{{cite book |last1=Birzer |first1=Norman |first2=Peter |last2=Mersky |title=US Navy A-7 Corsair II Units of the Vietnam War |series=Osprey Combat Aircraft |volume=48 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford, UK |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-84176-731-4 }}
*{{cite book |first=David F. |last=Brown |title=SLUF A-7 Corsair II |publisher=Concord Publications |location=Hong Kong |year=1997 |isbn=978-962-361-723-9}}
*{{cite book |editor-first=David |editor-last=Donald |chapter=Vought A-7 Corsair II |title=The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft |publisher=Barnes & Noble Books |location=New York |year=1997 |isbn=0-7607-0592-5}}
*{{cite book |editor-last=Donald |editor-first=David |editor2-first=Jon |editor2-last=Lake |title=Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft |publisher=AIRtime Publishing |location=London |year=1996 |isbn=1-880588-24-2}}
*{{cite magazine|first=Robert F. |last=Dorr |title=A Plus for the Corsair |magazine=Air International |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=61–65, 84–87, 93 |date=August 1987 }}
*{{cite book |editor-first=Paul |editor-last=Eden |title=The Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft |publisher=Amber Books |location=London |year=2004 |isbn=1-904687-84-9}}
*{{cite book |first=Gerald |last=Frawley |chapter=Vought A-7 Corsair II |title=The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Fishwick, ACT |year=2002 |isbn=1-875671-55-2}}
*{{cite book |first=Bill |last=Gunston |title=Attack Aircraft of the West |publisher=Ian Allan |year=1974 |isbn=0-7110-0523-0}}
*{{cite book |first=Bill |last=Gunston |title=Modern Fighting Aircraft |publisher=Random House |location=New York |year=1984 |isbn=0-517-44115-2}}
*{{cite book |last1=Gunston |first1=Bill |first2=Peter |last2=Gilchrist |title=Jet Bombers: From the Messerschmitt Me 262 to the Stealth B-2 |publisher=Osprey |year=1993 |isbn=1-85532-258-7}}
*{{cite book |last1=Higham |first1=Robin |first2=Carol |last2=Williams |title=Flying Combat Aircraft of USAAF-USAF |volume=2 |publisher=Air Force Historical Foundation |location=Andrews AFB, Maryland, USA |year=1978 |isbn=0-8138-0375-6}}
*{{cite book |first=Chris |last=Hobson |title=Vietnam Air Losses, USAF/USN/USMC, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia, 1961–1973 |publisher=Specialty Press |location=North Branch, Minnesota, USA |year=2001 |isbn=1-85780-115-6}}
*{{cite book |last1=Holder |first1=Bill |first2=Mike |last2=Wallace |title=Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk: An Illustrated History of the Stealth Fighter |publisher=Schiffer Publishing |location=Atglen, PA |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-76430-067-7}}
*{{cite book |first=Peter B. |last=Mersky |title=A-7 Corsair II in US Navy Service |series=International Air Power Review |volume=10 |publisher=AIRtime Publishing |location=Norwalk Ct, USA |date=Fall 2003 |isbn=1-880588-58-7 |issn=1473-9917}}
*{{cite book |first=Walter |last=Munzenmaier |title=LTV A-7D/K Corsair II: The 'SLUF' in USAF and USANG Service 1968–1993 |series=Famous Aircraft of the USAF and USAG |volume=1 |publisher=Double Ugly Books/ / AirDOC |location=Erlangen, Germany |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-93568-712-6}}
*{{cite book |title=NAVAIR 01-45AAA-1, A-7A/B Flight Manual |publisher=US Navy |location=Washington, D.C., USA |date=15 August 1973 |ref={{harvid|NAVAIR 01-45AAA-1}}}}
*{{cite book |title=NAVAIR 01-45AAE-1, A-7C/E Flight Manual |publisher=US Navy |location=Washington, D.C., USA |date=1 March 1973 |ref={{harvid|NAVAIR 01-45AAE-1}}}}
*{{cite book |editor-first=Rosario |editor-last=Rausa |chapter=Air Warfare; Chapter III: Power Projection, First Hornet Squadron, Grenada and Lebanon |chapter-url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/publications/publications-by-subject/pistons-to-jets.html |title=Pistons to Jets |publisher=Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center |location=Washington DC |year=1987 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-R5UAAAAMAAJ}}
*{{cite book |first=Roman |last=Schürmann |title=Helvetische Jäger: Dramen und Skandale am Militärhimmel |language=de |publisher=[[Rotpunktverlag]] |location=Zürich |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-85869-406-5}}
*{{cite book |last1=Swanborough |first1=Gordon |first2=Peter M. |last2=Bowers |title=United States Military Aircraft Since 1909 |publisher=Smithsonian Books |location=Washington, D.C., USA |year=1989 |isbn=0-87474-880-1}}
*{{cite book |last1=Swanborough |first1=Gordon |first2=Peter M. |last2=Bowers |title=United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |year=1990 |isbn=0-85177-838-0}}
*{{cite book |first=Ray |last=Wagner |title=American Combat Planes |edition=3rd |publisher=Doubleday |location=New York |year=1982 |isbn=978-0-38513-120-9}}
*{{cite book |first=Stewart |last=Wilson |title=Combat Aircraft since 1945 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Fyshwick, Australia |year=2000 |isbn=1-875671-50-1}}

==External links==
{{commons category|LTV A-7 Corsair II}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027090205/http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/1979/a7dera.html 355th Tactical Fighter Wing A-7D Corsair II era]
* [http://www.corsair2.us/ A-7 Corsair II Association]

{{Vought aircraft}}
{{US attack aircraft}}
{{USAF system codes}}
{{Thai attack aircraft designations}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Vought aircraft|A-7, LTV]]
[[Category:1960s United States attack aircraft]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined jet aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1965]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]