The nuclear baton of the US Navy (part 1)

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After the appearance of nuclear weapons in the United States, American admirals were very jealous of the fact that at the first stage long-range bombers were its carriers. Soon after the first combat use of atomic bombs, the naval command began actively lobbying for the development of weapons with nuclear charges suitable for deployment on warships and carrier-based aircraft. Navy naval commanders of the US Navy remembered how difficult it was for the American fleet there was a confrontation with Japanese naval forces in the Pacific Ocean, and therefore the possibility of destroying the formations of warships or enemy transport convoys with a single bomb or torpedo seemed very tempting. No less attractive was the idea of ​​breaking through at night at high altitude a single deck bomber with an atomic bomb, to naval bases or other strategic goals. This made it possible to neutralize with one blow the targets, for the destruction or incapacitation of which it was often required to complete hundreds of sorties and engage dozens of large warships.

A reflection of the fact that the development of a nuclear weapon suitable for use against naval targets was one of the priority programs at the end of the 40-s, was the Crossroads series of nuclear tests (Eng. Perekrestok). During tests in the lagoon of the Pacific atoll of Bikini, part of the Marshall Islands archipelago, two plutonium implosive charges with a capacity of 23 CT were detonated. 95 ships were used as targets. The target ships were four battleships, two aircraft carriers, two cruisers, eleven destroyers, eight submarines, and numerous landing and auxiliary vessels. For the most part, these were obsolete American ships destined for decommissioning due to obsolescence and resource development. However, three ships captured from Japan and Germany were involved in the tests. Before testing, the ships loaded the usual amount of fuel and ammunition, as well as various measuring instruments. Experimental animals were placed on several target ships. In total, more than 150 ships and a staff of 44 000 people were involved in the testing process. For tests invited foreign observers, including from the USSR.



1 July 1946, at 09.00 local time, the atomic bomb was dropped from the B-29 bomber onto a group of ships in the atoll bowl. The blunder from the aiming point during the bombing exceeded 600 m. As a result of the explosion, which received the code designation Able, five ships sank: two amphibious assault ships, two destroyers and a cruiser. In addition to the five sunken ships, another fourteen received heavy damage. When considering the results of the tests, it was noted that the ships of the “destroyer” class, if there are no flammable materials and ammunition on their decks, are sufficiently strong targets even at a distance of more than 1500 m with an air blast of about 20 kt have a real chance to survive. Much better results to the damaging factors of a nuclear explosion were demonstrated by armored armored battleships and cruisers. Thus, the battleship Nevada remained afloat, although it was located at a distance of 562 m from the epicenter, but at the same time a significant part of the experimental animals on its board died from penetrating radiation. The aircraft carriers proved to be very vulnerable, on the upper decks of which aircraft were deployed with fuel tanks filled. In an air explosion, the submarines, whose robust hull was designed for considerable pressure, were practically not damaged.

The results of the explosion "Able" were for the US military in many ways discouraging. It turned out that warships, in the case of minimal preparation for the effects of the damaging factors of an air nuclear explosion, are not as vulnerable as it was thought. In addition, when moving in a marching order and bombing them from a height of an atomic bomb safe for the aircraft carrier, after a reset, they have a real chance to dodge and get out of the zone of critical damage. Studies conducted on ships in the affected area have shown that they are completely suitable for reconditioning after decontamination, while the induced secondary radiation resulting from the effects of neutron radiation was considered low.

During the second test, codenamed Baker, held on 25 in July at 8.35 local time, an underwater nuclear explosion was made. The plutonium charge was suspended from the bottom of the amphibious assault ship USS LSM-60, anchored in the middle of the fleet doomed to destruction.

The nuclear baton of the US Navy (part 1)

Underwater nuclear explosion produced by 25 July 1946 of the year


As a result of this test, 8 ships were sunk. The German captured cruiser "Prince Eugen", which received severe damage to the hull, sank later, as a high level of radiation prevented repair work. Three more sinking ships were towed to the shore and thrown into shallow water.

The detonation of the atomic charge under water has demonstrated that a submarine equipped with nuclear warhead torpedoes poses an even greater danger for a large compound of warships than a free-fall atomic bomb carrier bomber. The underwater part of cruisers, aircraft carriers and battleships is not covered with thick armor and is therefore very vulnerable to a hydraulic shock wave. At a distance of 6 km from the point of the explosion, an 5-meter wave was recorded that could turn over or overwhelm small craft. With an underwater explosion, the robust hull of submerged submarines was just as vulnerable as the underwater hull of other ships. Two submarines in a submerged position at a distance of 731 and 733 m, were sunk. Unlike the air explosion, in which most of the fission products rose into the stratosphere and dissipated, after the underwater explosion, the ships involved in the Baker tests received a strong radiation contamination, which made repair and restoration work impossible.

The analysis of the materials of the Baker test took more than six months, after which the American admirals came to the conclusion that underwater nuclear explosions are extremely dangerous for warships, especially those at the docks of naval bases. Subsequently, on the basis of the results obtained during the air and underwater explosion, recommendations were issued for the protection of ships in a marching order and at a stop against nuclear weapons. Also, the test results largely served as a starting point for the development of nuclear depth charges, sea mines and torpedoes. As a group means of destruction of warships when used against them aviation nuclear warheads with air detonation, it was considered more rational to use not free-fall bombs dropped from heavy bombers vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire and cover fighters, but high-speed cruise missiles.

However, in addition to preparing for sea battles, American admirals, traditionally competing for the military budget with the Air Force, demonstrated strategic ambitions. Until the end of the 50-x, when intercontinental ballistic missiles appeared, the main means of delivering nuclear weapons were long-range bombers, requiring long capital strips and large air bases with developed infrastructure to take off and land. Under these conditions, in the eyes of the strategic nuclear strike planning staff, floating airfields looked like an acceptable alternative: numerous aircraft carriers that were part of the US Navy. It was a small business, it was necessary to create a deck bomber capable of reaching objects deep in the territory of a potential enemy. While the designers of the largest American aircraft manufacturing firms were hastily developing deck-based aircraft with long-range flight, the Lockheed P2V-3С Neptune adapted for take-off from the deck of an aircraft carrier was converted into a weapon, converted from an anti-submarine aircraft.


Take off P2V-3С with solid fuel boosters


To ensure the take-off of Neptune from an aircraft carrier, eight solid-fuel JATO boosters were placed in the tail section, which generated thrust of 35 tons in 12 seconds. The long range of the flight and the ability to take off from an aircraft carrier anywhere in the oceans made it an ideal carrier of atomic weapons. In addition to the new Wright R-3350-26W Cyclone-18 engines with 3200 horsepower. each aircraft received increased capacity gas tanks and AN / ASB-1 radar bomb sight. All weapons except tail 20-mm turrets dismantled. The use of the atomic bomb Mk.VIII was envisaged as a “useful” load. 14 power kt. This aviation nuclear weapon was in many respects similar to the uranium bomb “Malysh” dropped on Hiroshima. Its length was about three meters, the diameter of the 0,62 m and the weight of the 4,1 t. Thanks to the fuel supply with a total capacity of about 14000 l the aircraft with a take-off weight of more than 33 t had a flight distance exceeding 8000 km. During the test, the Neptune, taking off from the deck of the aircraft carrier and dropping it in the middle of the route, covered a total distance of 7240 km, having spent an hour in the air for 23. But at the same time the plane did not have the opportunity for landing on an aircraft carrier. After the bombing, he was supposed to land on a land airfield or the crew was parachuted near the ship. The idea of ​​creating such a deck aircraft, apparently was inspired history “Doolittle raid”, when in 1942, the American twin-engine bomber North American B-25 Mitchell, taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8), attacked the territory of Japan.


P2V-3С take off from the deck of aircraft carrier


The first launch from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43) with a weight and size mock-up of a 4500 kg bomb took place on 7 in March 1949 of the year. The take-off weight of the P2V-3C is over 33 tons. At that time it was the heaviest aircraft taking off from an aircraft carrier. For six months, 30 took off from three midway-class aircraft carriers.



The decks of these ships were strengthened, in addition, special equipment was placed on the ships for assembling atomic bombs. Since the first nuclear charges were very imperfect and security measures required the final assembly of nuclear weapons immediately before loading onto the bomber.

In total, 12 Neptunov was converted into carriers of deck-based nuclear bombs. In terms of flight range, the P2V-3C was superior to the American strategic bomber Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which at that time was the main striking force of the Strategic Air Command of the US Air Force. At the same time, Neptun, equipped with two piston engines, flew at a cruising speed of 290 km / h and developed, after dumping the combat load, the maximum speed of 540 km / h. The plane with such a speed of flight was vulnerable even to piston fighters and, taking into account the equipment of the fighter regiments of the USSR Air Forces with jet interceptors and mass production of radars, had little chance to accomplish the combat mission.

Since “Neptune” was too heavy and not originally designed for basing on aircraft carriers, its use as a carrier carrier of an atomic bomb was in many ways a forced improvisation. Soon, converted into nuclear bombers were ousted from the American aircraft carriers by the specially designed North American AJ-1 Savage deck bomber.


AJ-1 Savage Deck Bomber


Although the tests of the aircraft were accompanied by a series of accidents and disasters, it was still adopted in 1950 and produced in the amount of 55 copies. An interesting feature of the aircraft was the presence of a combined power plant. In addition to two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-44 piston air-cooled engines with a capacity of 2400 hp, the aircraft also had an Allison J33-A-10 turbojet engine with a nominal thrust of 20 kN, which was used on takeoff or, if necessary, to increase the flight speed ... For strength reasons, the Savage's maximum take-off weight was limited to 23160 kg. At the same time, the combat radius of action reached 1650 km. The maximum bomb load was 5400 kg, in addition to bombs, mines and torpedoes, the deck bomber could carry a 20 kt nuclear bomb Mk.VI in the inner compartment, weighing 4,5 tons and a length of 3,2 m. The aircraft did not have defensive weapons, but in the bow contained a pair of 20 mm cannons. Crew - 3 people.



Although the Savage’s combat radius was more than twice as low as the Neptune bomber, the American naval commanders, if necessary, planned to use it to launch nuclear strikes against strategic targets. Acting from the Mediterranean AJ-1, they could reach the southern regions of the USSR, and in the case of transferring aircraft carriers to the North, the Baltic, Murmansk and Leningrad regions were within reach. The maximum airspeed with TRD turned on reached 790 km / h, which, given the lack of defensive weapons, did not inspire much optimism when meeting with Soviet jet fighters. Since the bomber could not compete in speed and maneuverability with the MiG-15, the Americans refrained from using it in the Korean War. However, AJ-1 squadron with a stock of nuclear bombs in 1953 was placed at an air base in South Korea.

Although the aircraft was rapidly becoming obsolete, for lack of a better fleet, in 1952, it ordered an additional batch of 55 modernized AJ-2s, which were equipped with Pratt & Whitney R-2800-48 engines with a capacity of 2500 hp, navigation equipment and communications were updated, and the shortcomings identified during the operation of the early model were eliminated. All previously built Savages were redesigned into the same modification. In 1962, in connection with the introduction of a new aircraft marking system, the aircraft received the designation A-2B. In addition to the bomber version, 30 AJ-2R photo reconnaissance aircraft were also built. The modernized aircraft featured a modified nose.


Photo Intelligence AJ-2R


In view of the considerable mass and size, Savage could only be operated on the largest American aircraft carriers. Due to the haste during the tests, the bomber was put into service very "raw", with a lot of defects and "children's ills". Although the wing could be folded, the plane still took up a lot of space on the aircraft carrier, and the bloated fuselage caused a lot of inconvenience during maintenance. By the end of the 50s in the era of jet aircraft, the deck carrier of nuclear weapons with two piston engines looked archaic.



After reviewing the projects, preference was given to Douglas. One of the defining aspects of the aircraft's appearance was the size of the bomb compartment (4570 mm), which was directly related to the dimensions of the first nuclear bombs. To achieve high speed parameters, the aircraft was equipped with two turbojet engines mounted on pylons under the wing, which had a sweep angle of 36 °. Depending on the modification, the engines of the Pratt & Whitney J57 family with a thrust from 4400 to 5624 kg were used on the bombers. For the start of a heavily loaded bomber from the deck of an aircraft carrier or strips of limited length, from the very beginning, the use of JATO solid-propellant boosters was envisaged. But due to the fact that the jet jet damaged the paintwork of the aircraft, in practice they were rarely used. To ensure aimed bombing at visually invisible targets, the AN / ASB-1A radar sighting system was introduced into the avionics.


Test flight XA3D-1


The first flight of the XA3D-1 prototype took place on October 28 1952 of the year, and the official adoption of the weapons took place in the year 1956. The aircraft, which received the designation A3D Skywarrior (Eng. Heavenly Warrior), in addition to the bomber variant, was developed as a photo reconnaissance aircraft, electronic reconnaissance aircraft and EW.


Deck Bomber Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior


Although the A3D-1 Skywarrior was in fact a full-fledged bomber, for political reasons, in order not to compete with long-range bomber air forces and not lose funding, the admirals who led the maritime aircraft, assigned to the deck bomber "attack" designation.



"Heavenly Warrior" was the heaviest deck aircraft of the US Navy. For solid weight, size and “bloated” fuselage in the navy, he was dubbed the “Whale”. However, for the second half of the 50's, the seemingly awkward "Whale" had very good characteristics. The aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 31750 kg had a combat radius of 2185 km (with a bomb load of 1 837 kg). Maximum speed at high altitude - 982 km / h, cruising - 846 km / h. Due to the fact that atomic bombs became lighter and more compact as they were improved, already two “products” could fit into a roomy bomb bay with a length of more than 4,5. Maximum bomb load: 5 440 kg. In addition to 227-907 kg bombs, there was the possibility of suspension of sea mines. To protect the rear hemisphere in the stern of the aircraft there was a remotely controlled defensive installation of two 20-mm guns with radar guidance. Responsibility to repel fighter attacks was assigned to the avionics operator, whose workplace was behind a glass-enclosed cockpit. The crew of the “Kita” consisted of three people: a pilot, a navigator, a scorer, and an operator of radio equipment. Since the bomber was planned to be used at medium and high altitudes, the designers decided to reduce the weight of the aircraft by eliminating the ejection seats. It was believed that the crew should have enough time to leave the plane on their own. Given the fairly high accident rate at the stage of development, this did not add to the popularity of the aircraft among the crew. It is noteworthy that the crew of the B-66 Destroyer bomber, created on the basis of "Heavenly War" by order of the Air Force, was equipped with a catapult.


Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior


Skywatch was built serially from 1956 to 1961 year. In total, along with prototypes and prototypes, the 282 aircraft was built. The most advanced bomber modification was A3D-2. On this machine, in favor of jamming equipment, there was a refusal from aft remote-controlled fire installation, and the accuracy of the bombing was increased due to the introduction of AN / ASB-7 radar. The strength of the airframe was also increased, and more powerful J-57-P-10 engines with 5625 kgf were installed, which made it possible to bring the maximum speed to 1007 km / h and increase the bomb load to 5811 kg. In 1962, due to the introduction of a simplified labeling system, this machine was named A-3В Skywarrior.



Modernization did not help Kita too much, and at the beginning of 60-s after the appearance of the carrier bombers A-5A Vigilante, the role of A-3 Skywarrior as a carrier of nuclear weapons decreased dramatically. However, the American admirals were in no hurry to abandon very strong aircraft with large bomb bay, entrusting them with the performance of tactical tasks. Simultaneously with the operation of the shock machines, some of the bombers were converted into photo reconnaissance aircraft, tankers, electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft, and even into passenger aircraft VA-3B capable of landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier - for emergency delivery of higher command personnel.

After the outbreak of the war in Southeast Asia, the deck A-3В in the period from 1964 to 1967 were used to perform percussion missions and mine the territorial waters of the DRV. Due to the presence of a sufficiently sophisticated radar bomber sight, the crew of the Whale was able to carry out bombing with high accuracy at night and in low cloud conditions. The A-3V Skywatch was the only American carrier-based aircraft that could take four 907 kg bombs. However, quite large and relatively low-maneuverable "Whales" suffered sensitive losses from the North Vietnamese air defense, which, thanks to massive Soviet assistance, was strengthened every day. After the Americans lost several SkyWoodles from anti-aircraft fire and fighters, the admirals began to send more high-speed and maneuverable airplanes to bombard the territory of North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh Trails and Viet Cong bases.



At the same time, "Whales" have demonstrated their usefulness as tankers. KA-3B Skywarrior retained powerful jamming stations in the bulky fuselage and could cover the strike group of aircraft. The equipment available onboard the RA-3B scouts made it possible to track the movements of partisan groups in South Vietnam and Laos. The electronic reconnaissance and electronic warfare ERA-3B aircraft, being outside the zone of air defense weapons, determined with sufficient accuracy the coordinates of the North Vietnamese radar, air defense missile systems and batteries of anti-aircraft guns with radar guidance.

It so happened that "Skywatch" is much survived supersonic "Vigilant", which came to replace him. Operation of the A-3V, converted into tankers, and EW aircraft officially continued in the US Navy until the 1991 year. Several specially modified ERA-3B from the 33 th electronic warfare training squadron were used by the US Navy as directors of jamming exercises and Soviet cruise missile bombers. For what purpose, special simulators were reproduced on the airplanes, reproducing the work of radar GPSs. Along with the identification marks of the US Navy, the “electronic aggressors” ERA-3B were carried by red stars.


Electronic "aggressor" ERA-3B


After the official decommissioning, "Whales" have been actively flying for about 10 years. Machines with a significant resource handed over to the companies of Westinghouse and Raytheon, where they were used for testing aircraft armament and working out various electronic systems.

After the “reactive era”, in the 50 of the last century there was an explosive growth in the characteristics of combat aircraft. And the maximum flight speed of the A-3 Skywarrior, designed at the end of 40-s, could not guarantee that the subsonic deck bomber would be able to evade fighter attacks. For a guaranteed breakthrough of a carrier of nuclear weapons to the target, the American admirals needed an aircraft with high-speed data that was not inferior, or even superior to promising interceptors, only being developed in the USSR. That is, in order to fulfill the atomic bomb delivery mission, a deck bomber was needed, capable of accelerating at high altitude to speeds above 2000 km / h and with a combat radius of A-3 Skywarrior. Creating such a machine turned out to be a very difficult task, requiring the use of fundamentally new design solutions.

In the post-war period, rivalry developed between the Air Force and the US Navy for the most "tasty" pieces of the military budget. Naval admirals and generals of the air forces fought for who would get America’s nuclear baton. At the first stage, the main carriers of atomic bombs were long-range bombers. In the 50s, it seemed to many that nuclear charges were a “super-weapon” capable of solving both tactical and strategic tasks. Under these conditions, there was a real threat of a large-scale reduction of the American fleet. And the case concerned not only battleships and heavy cruisers, which in the “atomic era” with their large-caliber guns seemed prehistoric dinosaurs, but also very new aircraft carriers. In Congress and the Senate, voices sounded louder, calling for the rejection of most of the "obsolete" legacy of World War II, concentrating efforts on "modern" weapons: nuclear bomber and missiles. The American admirals had to argue that the fleet could also solve strategic tasks in delivering nuclear strikes and aircraft carriers could play a major role in this.

In 1955, the fleet announced a competition for the development of a combat aircraft suitable for use from heavy aircraft carriers such as Forrestal and the projected Atomic Enterprise. The new deck bomber should have been able to carry out missions using nuclear weapons at supersonic flight speeds, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions.

The winner of the competition was recognized by North American, which in June 1956 received an order for the construction of prototype prototypes with the designation YA3J-1. The aircraft, which received the corporate name Vigilante (English. Vigilante), first flew 31 August 1958 year. To achieve superiority over competitors, North American specialists took a considerable risk and created a very high-tech twin-engine aircraft. Distinctive features of this machine were: electric remote control system, the presence on board of a digital computer, box-shaped adjustable air intakes, an internal bomb bay between the engines, a wing without ailerons and all-turning vertical tail. To obtain high weight perfection in the design of the aircraft is widely used titanium alloys.


The first prototype YA3J-1 at the factory airfield


The prototype of the deck bomber demonstrated outstanding flight data. The plane, equipped with two General Electric J79-GE-2 TRDs with 4658 kgf without forcing and 6870 kgf at overdrive, at the height of 12000 m overclocked to 2020 km / h. Subsequently, after installing more powerful General Electric J79-GE-4 engines with an 7480 afterburner, the maximum speed reached 2128 km / h. The maximum airspeed on the ground was 1107 km / h. Cruising speed - 1018 km / h. Ceiling - 15900 m. The aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of 28615 kg and one hydrogen bomb in the internal compartment had a combat radius of 2414 km (with outboard fuel tanks and without switching to supersonic mode). When performing supersonic throws, the combat radius did not exceed 1750 km. The crew consisted of two people: the pilot and the navigator-scorer, who also served as the operator of avionics. The Vigilante didn’t have gun-guns, its invulnerability was to be achieved by high flight speed and the use of a powerful AN / ALQ-41 radio jamming station and drop-in dipole reflectors. In addition to standard radio stations of the HF and VHF bands, the avionics also included the AN / ASB-12 radar bomb sight, which also made it possible to map the terrain and the AN / APR-18 inertial navigation system. The onboard electronic equipment was controlled, the solution of navigation problems and the calculation of corrections during bombing were carried out by the onboard computer VERDAN. Initially, the bomber was “sharpened” under the Mark 27 free-fall thermonuclear bomb, with a capacity of 2 Mt. This “special” aviation munition had a diameter of 760 mm, a length of 1490 mm and a mass of 1500 kg. During the operation of the bomber, a less bulky B28 hydrogen bomb was introduced into its arsenal, which, depending on the modification, weighed 773-1053 kg and had power options: 1 Mt, 350 ct, 70 ct. Toward the close of a career, Widget could carry a B43 thermonuclear bomb with a capacity from 70 kt to 1 Mt.


Thermonuclear bomb В43


During operation, it turned out that the suspension of the bombs on the underwing pylons had practically no effect on the aircraft’s handling. As a result, it was considered acceptable to place two B43 bombs on an external sling. However, because of the increased frontal resistance, the flight range decreased, and in order to avoid excessive heating of thermonuclear ammunition, speed limits were imposed. Since the bomber was created solely as a carrier of nuclear weapons, its combat load, taking into account its mass and dimensions, was relatively small - 3600 kg.


A-5A


After the experienced prototypes were able to confirm the design characteristics, an order for the 1959 pre-series A9J-3 Vigilante followed at the beginning of 1. The overflight of the aircraft intended for military tests occurred in the spring of 1960, and the transfer of the first batch of Vigilantes to the customer took place in June of the 1960. During trial operation, a “bunch” of various kinds of flaws and numerous failures of complex electronics came to light. However, these were the inevitable "growing pains", peculiar to all new machines without exception. Considering the fact that there were a lot of fundamentally new technical solutions in the design of the Vigilante, it was difficult to expect otherwise. Also in the process of testing, it was noted that the support of A3J-1 flights from aircraft carriers is associated with great difficulties. During the preparation of the aircraft for departure required to spend more than 100 man-hours.



Because of the large mass, the steam catapults and aerofirectors worked at the limit of their abilities, and the Vigilant took up too much space on the deck. Landing required the pilots of high skill. In general, the tests confirmed the very high characteristics of the promising deck bomber and its viability. By obliging North American to eliminate the main observations of the United States Navy, it contracted 48 production aircraft.



During the 1961 year, the development of serial A3J-1 Vigilante began the staff of the three squadrons. Despite the efforts of the manufacturer, failures of sophisticated equipment fell continuously, and the cost of operation went off scale. Taking into account the fact that one "Widget" cost the US military department about $ 10 million, to maintain the aircraft in working condition, infrastructure equipment and training of flight and technical personnel had to spread several million more dollars a year. At the same time, the cost of the McDonnell Douglas F fighter - 4. The Phantom II cost $ 2,5 million. Besides, the new bomber was frankly unlucky. Even before the adoption of the A3J-1, the nuclear submarine USS George Washington (SSBN-598) with the 16 UGM-27А Polaris ballistic missiles joined the fleet. The launch range of the Polaris A1 SLBM was 2200 km - that is, about the same as the combat range of the deck bomber. But at the same time, the boat, while on duty, underwater could, covertly approaching the enemy coast, for a relatively short period of time, shoot off all the ammunition. It is no secret that the location of the US carrier-assault groups has always been the subject of close attention to the intelligence of the Soviet Navy, and the chances of quietly approaching our shore from the AUG were much less than those of the SSBNs. In addition, when carrying out strategic tasks, the Vigilant, as a rule, carried only one thermonuclear bomb, albeit of the megaton class. The ability to perform supersonic throws did not guarantee complete invulnerability from interceptors equipped with radar and guided missiles and anti-aircraft missile systems, which the Soviet air defense system began to fill in with increasing numbers in 60-s. Under these conditions, the command of the US Navy had to make a choice between two expensive programs: the construction of new SSBNs with submarine-launched ballistic missiles and the further production of a still very “raw” deck bomber, whose combat effectiveness was a big question.



North-American tried to save the situation by developing an improved version of the A3J-2, which was able to improve the reliability of the onboard equipment, increase the fuel supply by placing an additional tank after the gargrot and improve the landing characteristics. The composition of weapons introduced guided missiles "air-surface» AGM-12 Bullpup. The most noticeable difference in the new modification was the characteristic “hump” behind the cabin and the influxes on the wing. On the plane, new J79-GE-8 engines were installed with 7710 afterburner kgs, which made it possible to increase the maximum speed to 2230 km / h. Due to the limitations associated with maintaining the strength characteristics, it was limited to 2148 km / h. The aircraft also received an improved avionics: AN / ALQ-100 broadband jamming station, AN / APR-27 radio intelligence station, AN / ALR-45 radar warning equipment. Also, the manufacturer, in the case of a fleet ordering a new modification, promised to reduce operating costs and the purchase price.

Although the flight and combat characteristics of the deck bomber, which in 1962, in connection with the transition to a single "three-digit" system of aircraft designations in the military, received the designation A-5В (early model A-5А), the fleet command decided to abandon further purchases . The previous operating experience of the Vigilante in several deck squadrons clearly demonstrated that the new machine, with all its beauty, technical advancement and high flight data, is practically useless for the fleet. The task for which this deck bomber was created has become irrelevant, and the developer’s assurances that A-5A can solve tactical tasks have not been confirmed in practice. At the same time, the “Widget” turned out to be very ruinous for the fleet, the resources that were spent on maintaining one A-5А were enough to exploit three A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft or two F-4 Phantom II fighter planes. In addition, the "widget" took up too much space on the aircraft carrier, and its service has always been very complex and extremely time-consuming.

At the beginning of 60's, it seemed to many that the Vigilan had no future, and its cancellation from the decks of aircraft carriers would happen very soon. It must be said that such forecasts were not unreasonable, since the fleet canceled the order for 18 A-5В. Fortunately for the North American company, the US Navy urgently needed a deck reconnaissance aircraft with a range significantly greater than that of the Vought RF-8A Crusader. It was then that the groundwork for the long-range reconnaissance unit based on А-5, which started after the “Caribbean crisis” revealed that the Navy does not have a photo reconnaissance capable of operating more than 1000 km from its aircraft carrier. In addition, due to its modest internal volumes, Krusader had a very limited set of intelligence equipment.


Prototype RA-5C


Although guided missiles and bombs were hung up on the prototype of the reconnaissance aircraft, they refused from this on serial vehicles. The first RA-5C in 1963 was converted from the shock A-5А, and from 1964, the reconnaissance aircraft began to arrive in combat squadrons. In total, RA-5C entered service with six squadrons, which, as they mastered the new technology, were sent to a combat zone in Southeast Asia.


Landing RA-5C on the deck of an aircraft carrier


Due to the high speed of the flight, the reconnaissance “Vigilant” was less vulnerable to Vietnamese air defense weapons than other carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft. The admirals evaluated the reconnaissance capabilities, the speed and range of the flight; in 1969, the fleet ordered additional 46 vehicles and production of the RA-5C resumed. In total, 1971 was converted from bombers and 156 reconnaissance was rebuilt.

In addition to cameras, which allowed to make high-quality images at altitude up to 20000 m, the AN / ALQ-161 radio intelligence station on the aircraft installed side-looking radar AN / APQ-102 with a range of up to 80 km or AN / APD-7 with 130 detection range km In 1965, an AN / AAS-21 AN / AAS-21 infrared reconnaissance and mapping station was introduced into the reconnaissance arsenal. All reconnaissance equipment was placed in a large ventral fairing.

RA-5C, flying in Southeast Asia, often had to perform very risky tasks. High-speed long-range reconnaissance aircraft were often sent to search for air defense positions and control the delivery of Soviet military aid to the DRV, to specify the objects of air strikes in the well-protected territory of North Vietnam, and to evaluate the results of the bombings carried out by deck strike aircraft. Since the Americans did not have reliable maps of the territory of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, the RA-5C crews used the side-looking radar to map the terrain in the combat zone, which had a positive effect on the accuracy of the air strikes.


RA-5C Vigilante from the 13 Squadron of Long-Range Intelligence (RVAH-13) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) during a military campaign in Southeast Asia, 13 on April 1966 of the year

Although the Vigilant could easily dodge the attacks of the Vietnamese MiG-17F fighters, and at high speed and flight altitude was virtually invulnerable to anti-aircraft artillery, front-line supersonic interceptors MiG-21PF / PFM / MF with guided missiles K-13 and anti-aircraft missiles. CA-75M "Dvina" posed a great threat to him.


A-5C Vigilante from the 5-th long-range reconnaissance squadron and A-3B Skywarrior from the 2-th assault squadron aboard the Ranger aircraft carrier

The first loss of a decked reconnaissance aircraft in Southeast Asia was recorded on 9 December 1964, when RA-5C from the 5 long-range reconnaissance squadron, taking off from an aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA 61), did not return from a reconnaissance mission over Vietnamese territory. October 16 1965 of the year in identifying the position of the SA-75M air defense missile system over North Vietnam was shot down by RA-5C, its crew ejected and captured. The reconnaissance missions over South Vietnam and Laos were not safe. North Vietnamese batteries of anti-aircraft guns and air defense missile systems covered not only the objects on their territory, but also the “Ho Chi Minh Trail”, along which reinforcements and weapons were transferred to the South. So, October 16 1965, while flying at speeds around 1M, another reconnaissance Vigilant was shot down over South Vietnam. Several more aircraft were damaged by anti-aircraft fire. After radars, radar-guided anti-aircraft guns and air defense systems appeared at the disposal of the Vietnamese, the planes became very often fired at night, although previously such flights were considered safe. In 1966, the scouts lost two more cars: one was shot down by 19 on August over the port of Haiphong, and the other on October 22 in the vicinity of Hanoi “landed” the SA-75M air defense missile system. In the first case, the crew successfully ejected on a supersonic and was picked up by an American ship, the pilots of the other aircraft did not survive.

In total, according to American data, during the 31 one combat campaign of American aircraft carriers, in the period from 1964 to 1973, the American long-range reconnaissance squadrons lost 26 RA-5C, of ​​which 18 was classified as combat losses. In this case, several cars burned or crashed, received combat damage, but they were taken into account as lost in flight accidents. The main part was hit by anti-aircraft guns, while photographing the results of the work of the shock groups. It is believed that the two "widgets" were victims of the air defense missile system, and the last lost 28 of December 1972 of the year RA-5C was intercepted by the MiG-21.

By the middle of the 60-x managed to solve many operational problems and increase to an acceptable level of reliability of on-board equipment. Although the cost of operating the RA-5C was still very high, there was nothing to replace it with. The Americans seriously hoped to defend South Vietnam with the help of massive bombardments and the fleet urgently needed long-range high-speed reconnaissance aircraft equipped with the most sophisticated reconnaissance equipment. Aircraft RA-5C, ordered in 1968 year, became the most perfect and finished of all the "Vigilantes". The far deck intelligence officer received more advanced TRD R79-GE-10 with afterburner 8120 kgf and modified avionics. Theoretically, the updated machine was supposed to have the RA-5D index, but for political reasons, the order was conducted as a new batch of RA-5C. The new modification had a very high potential, which was not fully disclosed. During the test flights, the aircraft was able to accelerate at high altitude to 2,5M, and at the same time there was a reserve of engine power.

The Vietnam War was the “Swan Song” of the “Vidglunt”. Shortly after the fighting ended, in 1974, the RA-5C was decommissioned. The last hike of the Ranger aircraft carrier with heavy reconnaissance on board ended in September 1979. Although long-range recons could have served at least 15 for years without problems, the fleet, due to excessive operating costs, decided to abandon them. The reason for this, strangely enough, was the too high degree of technical novelty, in fact, the aircraft was destroyed by the enormous difficulties in its operation, as well as the low reliability of the onboard systems. In addition, due to the excessively large weight, the Widget’s take-off and landing characteristics left much to be desired because of which the catapults and aerofirection towers worked to the point of their capabilities. RA-5C losses accounted for 2,5% of all combat losses of the US Navy during the war in Southeast Asia. At the same time, the deck bombers A-5А and heavy reconnaissance RA-5C had a depressing accident rate. In accidents and catastrophes, 55 planes from 156 were lost. Six cars were lost during test flights, the rest - in the course of flight operation. From all of the above, we can conclude that the aircraft, outstanding in its flight data, equipped with the most advanced radio-electronic equipment at that time, turned out to be of little use for everyday operation in combat units.

In general, the attempt of the American admirals to impose strategic nuclear tasks on carrier-based aviation proved to be unsuccessful. Due to objective reasons, the number of strategic carrier-based carriers was small, and their chances of breaking through to objects in the depths of the USSR territory in the 50-60-years were even less than those of the USAF bombers: Boeing B-47 Stratojet, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and Convair B-58 Hustler. The adoption of intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles on board, in fact, put an end to the future of strategic carrier-based bombers. As a result, the built aircraft reoriented to the solution of tactical percussion tasks or converted into reconnaissance, refueling, and jammers. At the same time, all American carrier-based warplanes, from the piston A-1 Skyraider to the modern F / A-18E / F Super Hornet, were adapted for the delivery of nuclear weapons. Taking into account the possibility of refueling in the air, this circumstance made it possible to solve not only tactical, but also strategic nuclear tasks.

At the end of the 40-ies, an atomic version of the “Sky-Trader” was developed with the designation AD-4B. This aircraft could carry atomic bombs Mark 7. Nuclear bomb Mark 7, created in the 1951 year, had power, variable in the range 1-70 CT. The total mass of the bomb, depending on the type of nuclear charge, ranged from 750 to 770 kg. For the first time in history, the size and weight of a bomb made it possible to deliver it by tactical aircraft. A typical load for an atomic attack aircraft was one bomb and two outboard fuel tanks according to 1136 l.

With the Mark 7 atomic bomb, the AD-4B combat radius was 1440 km. The main method of bombing was a reset from cabling (pilots called this technique “suicide loop”). The plane first accelerated at the dive towards the target, and then when performing a half-loop with a turn at the top of the trajectory, in its initial phase, it carried out bombing. Bomb the ballistic trajectory flew in the direction of the target, and the attack aircraft at that time already did a coup and flee at maximum speed. Thus, the pilot had a certain margin of time to escape from the target and got a chance to survive the explosion.

At the end of the 40-x, it became clear that the Skyrader with a piston engine could not compete with jet planes in flight speed. In this regard, the deck jet attack aircraft Douglas A4D Skyhawk (after the 1962 of the year A-4) was originally designed as a carrier of the Mark 7 bomb, which was suspended under the central pylon.


Deck attack aircraft A4D-2 with a suspended Mark 7 bomb aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60) aircraft carrier


In 60-s, training and combat missions of carrier-based aviation with nuclear weapons were commonplace. However, after several emergencies in which nuclear weapons were damaged or lost. So, December 5 1965 in the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa from the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) due to heavy pitching, the unfixed A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft with a tactical nuclear bomb and sank at a depth of about 4900 meters. Subsequently, they refused to fly with nuclear weapons on board, and used inert mass-dimensional mockups for training.

Subsequently, American carrier-based attack aircraft and fighters received several types of nuclear and thermonuclear bombs, including the megaton class. A description of all the “special” aircraft munitions used in the US Navy will take too much time and reduce tediousness for most readers. In this regard, we will focus on the most modern American carrier carrier Boeing F / A-18E / F Super Hornet. This aircraft, which is a further development of the F / A-18C / D Hornet, was adopted by the US Navy in the 1999 year. Currently, these highly successful and versatile fighters form the basis of the combat power of carrier-based aviation of the US Navy. As for nuclear weapons, today the choice of the Americans is small. Of the free-fall bombs that are suitable for the delivery of tactical and carrier-based aircraft by aircraft, only the B61 family of thermonuclear bombs remained in the nuclear arsenal.


Thermonuclear bomb В61


The bomb has a welded metal housing, 3580 mm long and 330 mm wide. The weight of most B61 is within 330 kg, but may vary depending on the specific modification. When a tactical or carrier-based aircraft is dropped from a plane, the bomb is equipped with a braking nylon-Kevlar parachute. It is needed in order to give time to the carrier aircraft to safely leave the affected area. At the moment, bombs of the models B61-3, B61-4, B61-7, B61-10, B61-11 are listed as being in service. In this case, the B61-7 is intended for use with strategic bombers, and the B61-10 is intended for use as a reserve. The latest 11, the most modern version weighing about 540 kg, was put into service in the 1997 year. According to information published in open sources, only about fifty B61-11 were collected. The greater weight of the latest serial modification compared to the earlier ones is explained by the solid and thick bomb shell, designed for penetration into solid ground for the destruction of well-fortified targets under the ground: rocket mines, command posts, underground arsenals, etc. In terms of its effectiveness in the case of use in underground shelters, the explosion of the B61-11 with a power up to 340 kt is equivalent to the 9 Mt charge detonated on the surface without burial. But depending on the mission, the fuse can be set to ground or air explosions. There is unconfirmed information that the power of the B61-11 charge can be varied in steps from 0,3 to 340 CT. At present, the Americans declare that all tactical nuclear weapons in service with naval forces are stored on the coast. However, if necessary, it can be quickly deployed on operational media.

To be continued ...

Based on:
http://airwar.ru/enc/attack/aj.html
https://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/swcrc/37/index.htm
http://anyaero.com/pages/28065/index.html
http://planespotterblog.ru/?p=10349
https://theaviationgeekclub.com/time-u-s-navy-ra-5c-vigilante-took-picture-sa-2-surface-air-missile-passing-just-104-feet-away-belly/
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16 comments
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  1. +5
    9 October 2018 07: 47
    In addition to cameras, which allowed to make high-quality images at altitude up to 20000 m, the AN / ALQ-161 radio intelligence station on the aircraft installed side-looking radar AN / APQ-102 with a range of up to 80 km or AN / APD-7 with 130 detection range km In 1965, an AN / AAS-21 AN / AAS-21 infrared reconnaissance and mapping station was introduced into the reconnaissance arsenal. All reconnaissance equipment was placed in a large ventral fairing.


    The electronic complex "Vidzhelenta" is simply amazing and that is all at the beginning of 60's!
  2. +7
    9 October 2018 07: 52
    Quote: LastPS
    The electronic complex "Vidzhelenta" is simply amazing and that is all at the beginning of 60's!

    The cost of this machine is also astounding, as are the operating costs and accidents. It was not for nothing that Vigelant was finally taken out of service, just 5 years after the end of the Vietnam War. For the American Navy, this car turned out to be a "suitcase without a handle": it's hard to carry and it's a pity to leave.
    1. +5
      9 October 2018 09: 48
      hi Reconnaissance squadron maneuvers three (RVAH-3) and five (RVAH-5) from the aircraft carrier Saratoga (CV-60)
      The reconnaissance version of the RA-5C had a slightly larger wing area and added a long canoe-shaped fairing under the fuselage for the multisensory reconnaissance unit.
    2. +2
      12 October 2018 19: 27
      It’s not always easy to be a pioneer) In any case, a very beautiful and interesting car, although not very viable.
  3. +4
    9 October 2018 08: 36
    Very interesting, thanks!
  4. +6
    9 October 2018 08: 47
    The plutonium charge was suspended from the bottom of the USS LSM-60 landing ship, anchored in the middle of the fleet, doomed to destruction.
    The charge was detonated at a depth of 27 meters. Ten ships were sunk, including the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, which sank in December, five months after the test, because radioactivity prevented the repair of a leak in the hull. A blinding flash, which usually obscures the target area, occurred underwater and was barely seen. A clear image of the ships in the foreground and background gives a sense of scale.
    1. +4
      9 October 2018 17: 46
      Quote: san4es
      Ten ships were sunk, including the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, which sank in December, five months after the test, because radioactivity prevented the repair of a leak in the hull.

      There is a very remarkable photograph of Prince Eugen:

      US Navy sailors scrubbing down the deck of USS IX-300 (former German cruiser Prinz Eugen) after the Baker atomic detonation of Operation Crossroads, Bikini Atoll, some days after 25 Jul 1946.
      USN personnel decontaminate the deck of the USS IX-300 (formerly the German air carrier Prinz Eugen) after the Baker test during Operation Crossroads, Bikini Atoll, a few days after 25.07.1946/XNUMX/XNUMX.

      Let me remind you that it was according to the results of "Baker" that the "Prince Eugen" was declared non-repairable due to the high level of radiation. And this is after decontamination. What happened on the deck during the work?
      1. +3
        9 October 2018 17: 59
        Quote: Alexey RA
        ... What happened on the deck during the work?

        hi ... Yes, really ... And inside the ship? .. Surely "... Eugen", from the "radioactive tsunami" of water "gulped" fellow

        ... And at that time, they had no special idea about the effects of radiation.
  5. +6
    9 October 2018 13: 53
    As Admiral Nimitz (Sr.) said: “Let's develop our friendship with everyone,” he concluded, “but let's make sure that our olive branch is planted in soil rich in fertilizer with uranium-235. This, I insist, is not cynicism, but the fact that we have - in Texas and the Navy - is called common sense. "
    hi
    Article plus, definitely!
  6. +5
    9 October 2018 15: 33
    I won’t specifically read, today is a night shift, there will be something to read. Thank you very much, comrade Sergey.
  7. The comment was deleted.
    1. +4
      10 October 2018 01: 54
      Quote: Wildcat
      remembered the very tin: FAU2 wassat on the aircraft carrier

      I will share a little secret: due to my "official position" I have access to the author's materials. Now a publication is being prepared about the first cruise missiles "Regulus" - this tin is no less than the FAU-2 on aircraft carriers.
      1. +2
        10 October 2018 13: 20
        I do not agree. wink
        Cruise missiles (as opposed to ballistic) on an aircraft carrier / TAKR / TAVKR, this is not tin, this is a very recent reality. Or a national feature, if you want. smile
        hi
        1. +2
          10 October 2018 13: 41
          Quote: Wildcat
          Cruise missiles (as opposed to ballistic missiles) on an aircraft carrier / TAKR / TAVKR, this is not hard, this is a very recent reality.

          Olya is right!

          KR "Regulus" is also tin. Although they certainly did not use liquid oxygen and the likelihood of an accident was less.
  8. +1
    10 October 2018 02: 57
    Quote: zyablik.olga
    Quote: Wildcat
    remembered the very tin: FAU2 wassat on the aircraft carrier

    I will share a little secret: due to my "official position" I have access to the author's materials. Now a publication is being prepared about the first cruise missiles "Regulus" - this tin is no less than the FAU-2 on aircraft carriers.

    Hello Olga, you, as a senior operative of the Committee, could not incognito find out, using "your official position", whether there will be a continuation on MANPADS, since I am very ashamed to disturb the Author. Many thanks.
    1. +3
      10 October 2018 04: 48
      Quote: merkava-2bet
      will there be a continuation of MANPADS

      Andrew, the recent cycle of MANPADS - this is not mine. No.
  9. +3
    10 October 2018 05: 39
    Quote: Bongo
    Quote: merkava-2bet
    will there be a continuation of MANPADS

    Andrew, the recent cycle of MANPADS - this is not mine. No.

    I am wildly sorry, confused with your namesake, getting old, as it didn’t conveniently happen, before you with Olga and of course the Author, I apologize again.

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