Data Quality84%
01 / Overview
North American A-5 Vigilante
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1961–1970
Quantity
167
Operators
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight1958
- Service Entry Year1961
- Crew2
- Primary Rolecarrier-based nuclear bomber and later tactical reconnaissance
- Generationfourth
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant10MOD.10
- Engine Typeturbojet
- Engine ModelPratt & Whitney J57-P-20
- Number of Engines2
- Thrust (dry, each)79
- Thrust (afterburner, each)107
- Thrust-to-Weight0.33
- AfterburnerYes
- SupercruiseNo
- Thrust VectoringNo
- Internal Fuel12,400 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed2,400 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)2 Mach
- Cruise Speed2,100 km/h
- Stall Speed260 km/h
- Service Ceiling20,000 m
- Ferry Range4,600 km
- Combat Radius1,200 km
- Rate of Climb30 m/s
- G-Limit7
- Takeoff Run300 m
◇Dimensions7MOD.7
- Length30.5 m
- Wingspan11.9 m
- Height5.5 m
- Wing Area71
- Empty Weight18,000 kg
- Loaded Weight30,000 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight34,000 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints6
- Weapons Payload8,000 kg
- Internal Gunnone
- Internal Weapons BayYes
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesYes
- Anti-Ship MissilesYes
- Nuclear CapableYes
▤Avionics & Stealth8MOD.8
- RadarAN/APQ-153 (later AN/APQ-168)
- AESA RadarNo
- Stealth / Low ObservableNo
- IRSTNo
- Electronic Warfare SuiteYes
- Helmet-Mounted SightNo
- Tactical DatalinkYes
- Targeting PodYes
⬢Production & Cost3MOD.3
- Total Built167
- Operators1
- Variants7
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1979
- Production Start1961
- Production End1970
- Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1961Production started
- 1970Production ended
65
years in service
9
years in production
167
units produced
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
Not enough weapon data to rank this category.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
An afterburner is a device that injects fuel into a jet engine's hot exhaust gases, generating additional thrust through combustion.
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
Air-to-Ground Missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to attack ground targets. They enable aircraft to engage and destroy enemy ground positions, vehicles, and installations.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles designed to engage and destroy naval vessels. They are typically used by aircraft, ships, or submarines to attack enemy ships.
A collection of integrated electronic systems on a military aircraft designed to detect, identify, disrupt, or deceive enemy radar, communications, and guided weapons.
An internal compartment within a military aircraft designed to store and deploy weapons, reducing radar cross-section and aerodynamic drag.
Relating to or using nuclear energy, typically fission, for propulsion or power generation in military vessels.
Enables real-time sharing of position, targeting, and sensor data among aircraft and platforms for coordinated combat operations.
A targeting pod is an external sensor module mounted on aircraft that provides laser designation, infrared imaging, and range‑finding to support precision strike and reconnaissance.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources