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- OS: Windows 7 SP1/8/10 (64 bit)
- Processor: Dual-Core 2.2 GHz
- Memory: 4GB
- Video Card: DirectX 10.1 level video card: AMD Radeon 77XX / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660. The minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64 bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 3600 and better
- Memory: 16 GB and more
- Video Card: DirectX 11 level video card or higher and drivers: Nvidia GeForce 1060 and higher, Radeon RX 570 and higher
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- Memory: 6 GB
- Video Card: Intel Iris Pro 5200 (Mac), or analog from AMD/Nvidia for Mac. Minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p with Metal support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Mac OS Big Sur 11.0 or newer
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- Memory: 8 GB
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- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
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- Memory: 4 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 660 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months; the minimum supported resolution for the game is 720p) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 17 GB
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 64bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Memory: 16 GB
- Video Card: NVIDIA 1060 with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) / similar AMD (Radeon RX 570) with latest proprietary drivers (not older than 6 months) with Vulkan support.
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Hard Drive: 95 GB
A new squadron vehicle is coming to War Thunder! This time, one of the better jet attackers in the game, the American A-4E Skyhawk with a new powerful engine and increased combat load
The beginning of the jet era and the escalation of the Cold War forced the US naval aviation command to look for a replacement for the very successful carrier-based piston-engine AD Skyraider, with the possibility of delivering a tactical nuclear weapon in the area of operation of an aircraft carrier group.With the beginning of the military campaign in Korea, the Douglas Aircraft Company began developing a carrier-based attack aircraft with an unconventional approach - instead of pursuing engine power, usually bringing weight and large size to the aircraft, Ed Heinemann’s team concentrated on finding ways to lighten the construction, keeping it under 12,000 lbs.
The projected aircraft was a fairly compact, lightweight jet fighter-attacker with a delta-shaped wing and a competently lightweight design. This is how the A-4A Skyhawk was born, one of the first jet-based carrier-based aircraft capable of carrying a nuclear bomb. The aircraft was distinguished by its simplicity of design, practical controls with excellent flight characteristics for its time. Soon, in 1956, the A-4B version appeared, capable of carrying a huge variety of mounted weapons on three suspension points, including guided missiles.
Thus, "Skyhawk" had become a truly universal carrier-based aircraft, capable of solving the entire spectrum of tasks for US Naval Aviation. A rather noticeable drawback of the attack aircraft was still the limited range of action, also army types always wanted to increase the weapon load. In 1961, Douglas presented an improved version of the aircraft with five pylons for armament and a new engine, which compensated for a heavier combat load, and also increased the range of the attack aircraft. It was the A-4E that became one of the most massive Skyhawk modifications and formed the image of a modern carrier-based attack aircraft. The "E" version was actively involved in the Vietnam War, and later, up till the end of the 80’s, was used to simulate enemy aircraft in training dogfights.
War Thunder pilots and tankers know well the American A-4B attack aircraft, one of the best ground strikers in the game. Good speed and controllability, as well as a luxurious selection of sets of guided and unguided weapons make it an excellent choice in any game mode, especially destroying enemy ground vehicles. We're introducing a new version of this attacker for squadron players. The A-4E Skyhawk with a new engine and an increase to five pylons, is an excellent addition to the top tier US tank setup and a very comfortable vehicle for air missions.
The A-4E's weapon selection is almost the same as the A-4B's, but you can now take more deadly gifts into battle for any type of enemy. In addition to the 2x Colt 20mm cannons, you will find a long list of mounted weapons in a wide variety of combinations. AIM-9B Air-to-air missiles, AGM-12B and AGM-12C air-to-surface missiles, up to 36 Zuni and 171 Mighty Mouse rockets, bombs of up to 2,000 lbs (including 14x500lbs and 20x250lbs combinations) to a total payload of 7000 lbs, additional gun pods - choose from many sets for each mission!
Interesting: On December 5, 1965, a ‘Broken Arrow’ incident occurred in the Philippine Sea near the Japanese island of Kikaijima. During transportation on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga, an A-4E with a pilot and a 1Mt nuclear bomb suspended under the fuselage rolled overboard and sank. So far, no aircraft, pilot, or bomb has been found.
The new J52-P-6 engine is more powerful and more economical than the previous one, but overall it retains the familiar A-4B flight characteristics: the A-4E max speed under ideal conditions and without load is 584 knots (about 1080 kmh), but most often you will have to operate at speeds of about 400-500 mph over land or sea, which is pretty good for an attack aircraft. After the A-4E drops its payload, it becomes noticeably faster and more maneuverable in order to quickly get to an airfield for reload and refuel. Flares can help you to escape from a fighter fired missile or AA missile from the ground. Overall, the A-4E is an harmonious and comfortable jet attack aircraft, capable of carrying a significant payload and withstanding any enemy.
The A-4E Skyhawk will be available for research in one of the next updates.
Unite in squadrons with friends, apply for other squadrons, or create your own to receive truly unique war Thunder squadron vehicles!
Comments (175)
Thanks for adding another Squadron vehicle. Sad to see that its yet another vehicle for one of the 3 main tree's. The Minor nations needs vehicles to you know. And there aren't any shortage of options for them.
The A-4E was an iconic attacker fighter plane, a shame it became a squadron plane. It could have been version D.
They do need vehicles, but in the research trees. Adding their vehicles as squadron or event ones as everyone seems to be asking for would just limit their trees' potential.
>an A-4E with a pilot and a 1Mt nuclear bomb suspended under the fuselage rolled overboard and sank. What was the pilot doing suspended under the fuselage?
😂
the plane was so advanced at the time that it was remote controlled. he was acting as the plane's gun pod with his rifle pointing front and ready to go
Meanwhile, the A-4B's gunpod is still broken.
For real. It's been bug reported probably ten times on forums and every post is replied to with "Devs are on it". My ass. It's literally a firerate change, they have done it to several other guns since adding the A-4B. It's truly infuriating that it's been this way for 8 goddamn months.
HanSolo12P_, Honestly, the laziest people. They say they have a reported bug log, but the F9F-8 and FJ4 still don't have working stabilators after having been bug reported numerous times begging four years ago.
Let's see how people will cry about this, oh wait, it's not german.
nah dude trust me american cas suffers. there's no possible way any American plane at any tier can compete against the g91. even tier for tier /s
I mean.. A-4B is almost 4 times as expensive to research, 3-4 times more to buy or something.. and of course more to spade, meanwhile the G.91 is still ridiculously easy to get (which is why everyone and their mum has one)
Nice, another vehicle for one of the oldest and diverse nations of the game. I mean, that's a cool vehicle, but I'm still glad to see that the French, Italian, Swedish and Chinese tech trees which severely lack proper indigenous vehicles at many ranks/BRs are getting the attention they need...
thats how gaijin make money, you should know this many many updates ago.
They will add vehicles to the smaller trees into the tech tree. If you put vehicles into the event or premium tree it stops them from getting it as a tech tree vehicle.
5 bullpups really?
if you fly in top tier ground RB you know you are not going to live long enoth to fire all of them ether a SPAA kill you, another jet kill you or you crash why you think Phantom pilots drop all there ordenance at once is because they are not getting another chance planes get a max of 2 or 3 kill before getting shot down but most of the time don't get any people that complain planes ruin Ground RB is just because they are the unluck guy that get killed by them the real problem is Helicopters
ShadowWolf_25BR, Bad pilots only get one chance... Decent pilots can evade AA or enemy air for the whole game long with multiple reloads... Air just shouldn't be in there in the first place.
FJ4B, A-4B and now A-4E , I need more bullpups for ground RB :D
Germans get 4 Nords on a tech tree, and 2 Nords on the premium tree. Then the Americans get longer range and more powerful bullpups on three planes - is the G.91 really that broken?
I_am_an_aa_gun, Which one do you see get spammed 24/7?
This is awesome, love the current A-4 and I am looking forward to this one.
"max speed under ideal conditions and without load is 584 knots (about 1080 kmh), but most often you will have to operate at speeds of about 400-500 mph", you really just used 3 different units of measurement in one sentence. nice
I call BS on that lol, the A-4B has a much weaker engine and (when spaded) reaches 1100km/h on the deck with 3x 1000lb bombs and 2x AIM-9Bs
HanSolo12P_, HanSolo12P_ "The new J52-P-6 engine is more powerful and more economical than the previous one" soooo, your statement is sadly wrong, as the new engine should not be compared to the A-4B's engine. Now idk the actual specs, I am just pointing out the error in your statement.
Yay another american jet! Next is another Soviet heavy tank with protection level superior to MBT ! ! ! ResidentSleeper
No the next one is gonna be a life raft with a tommy gun. Just for you