A-7E

This page is about the American strike aircraft A-7E. For the other version, see A-7D.

A-7E

A-7D

A-10C

A-7E

A-7D

A-10C

USA

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.0	10.7	10.3

Class:

Strike aircraft

Naval aircraft

Research:175 000

Purchase:950 000

Description

The A-7E Corsair II is a rank VII American strike aircraft with a battle rating of 11.0 (AB), 10.7 (RB), and 10.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update "Ground Breaking". The A-7E Corsair II is among the most capable ground attack aircraft in the game, sporting a variety of air-to-ground payloads including large calibre rotary cannon pods, unguided bombs and rockets, and medium range guided bombs. Additionally, CCIP and CCRP can be used for accurate usage of unguided weaponry, while an optional FLIR pod grants night vision and thermal sights to easily spot targets. This supreme air-to-ground capability comes with a hefty price; the A-7E is strictly limited to that ground attack role, as it has very slow speed and poor manoeuvrability which leaves it basically helpless in air-to-air combat.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear

Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Max speed

at 0 m1 123 km/h

Turn time35 s

Max altitude12 497 m

EngineAllison TF-41-A-2

TypeJet

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight19 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	1,114	1,108	12497	35.4	37.0	42.1	41.7	1,000
Upgraded	1,133	1,123		34.6	35.0	68.9	55.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1,254	407	484	457	406	~10	~4

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 700	< 690	< 500	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass			Wing loading (full fuel)
Allison TF-41-A-2		1	9,106 kg			392 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)					Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		15m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	45m fuel	53m fuel
1,592 kg	Low-bypass turbofan		10,472 kg	10,820 kg	11,678 kg	12,963 kg	13,658 kg	19,051 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition	100%	WEP	15m fuel	20m fuel	30m fuel	45m fuel	53m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	4,741 kgf	N/A	0.45	0.44	0.41	0.37	0.35	0.25
Optimal	6,378 kgf (200 km/h)	N/A	0.61	0.59	0.55	0.49	0.47	0.33

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear407 km/h

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 623 → 4 999

RB9 063 → 12 506

SB10 745 → 14 828

Total cost of modifications294 200

454 000

Talisman cost3 000

Crew training270 000

Experts950 000

Aces3 200

Research Aces1 210 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

90 / 320 / 600 %

244 / 244 / 244 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 New boosters Research: 9 600 Cost: 15 000 380 Wings repair Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Engine Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 750	Fuselage repair Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 Airframe Research: 9 600 Cost: 15 000 380 G-suit Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Cover Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 750	Gun pod SUU-23/A. Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 Flares/Chaff Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 Mk82 Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 LAU-3/A Research: 10 000 Cost: 15 000 390 M60_belt_pack Research: 9 600 Cost: 15 000 380 Gun pod GPU-5/A. Research: 9 600 Cost: 15 000 380 M117 Research: 9 600 Cost: 15 000 380 BLU-27/B Research: 9 600 Cost: 15 000 380 LAU-10/A Research: 9 600 Cost: 15 000 380 M60_new_gun Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 GAU_13A_belt_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 Mk83 Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 AIM-9G Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 470 GAU_13A_new_gun Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 750 Mk84 Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 750 AGM-62A Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 750

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The A-7E is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon, chin-mounted (1,000 rpg)
  • 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon + 120 x countermeasures

Suspended armament

The A-7E can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannons (1,200 rpg = 2,400 total)
• 2 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannons + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x 20 mm GAU-4 cannons + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x 30 mm GAU-13/A cannons (353 rpg = 706 total)
• 2 x 30 mm GAU-13/A cannons + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x 30 mm GAU-13/A cannons + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
• 24 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (6,000 lb total)
• 24 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (6,000 lb total)
• 24 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (6,000 lb total)
• 24 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (6,000 lb total)
• 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (12,000 lb total)
• 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (12,000 lb total)
• 24 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 12 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 12 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (12,000 lb total)
• 12 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (12,000 lb total)
• 12 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 6 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (12,000 lb total)
• 6 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (12,000 lb total)
• 6 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (12,000 lb total)
• 5 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (10,000 lb total)
• 14 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (10,500 lb total)
• 14 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (10,500 lb total)
• 14 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (10,500 lb total)
• 12 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (9,000 lb total)
• 228 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
• 228 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
• 228 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
• 64 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
• 64 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
• 64 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
• 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles
• 6 x 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs (3,060 kg total)
• 6 x 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (3,060 kg total)
• 5 x 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs + 2 x AIM-9G Sidewinder missiles (2,550 kg total)
• 6 x 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (3,060 kg total)
• 5 x 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (2,550 kg total)
• 5 x 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs (2,550 kg total)

Usage in battles

Ground RB is where the A-7E truly shines. Its poor flight performance and manoeuvrability is less of an issue due to a lessened fighter presence. In Ground RB, the A-7E's most potent weapon is the AGM-62A Walleye I ER guided bombs. These bombs can be dropped from more than five kilometers away and still reliably hit. Additionally, a FLIR pod can optionally be carried in place of one Walleye guided bomb. This pod grants night vision and thermal imaging capabilities, allowing for significantly easier location of enemy vehicles. When you first spawn in with the Walleyes, you must first gain some altitude. As the A-7E is very slow, it is essential that you enter the battlefield at higher altitudes (at least 5 kilometers) to ensure safety from enemy SAMs. Once you are at this altitude, locate targets using either the Walleye's own targeting sight or the FLIR pod. It is recommended to use the FLIR pod for this, as the Walleye's targeting sight uses very dark colors which make enemy tanks hard to distinguish from other objects such as rocks. Ideally, you will be high enough that SAMs cannot reach, so you can focus mainly on locating targets. Once you find an enemy, simply lock on to them with the bomb, go into a small dive to position yourself, and drop the bomb. Once this happens, pull up and regain your lost altitude quickly to get out of range of SAMs. You don't need to worry about the dropped bomb as it is fire-and-forget (no additional input is needed once it's dropped). Continue this until you run out of bombs; when this happens you can either use your gun and AIM-9s for air defense, or to go back to base and rearm.

In Air RB, the A-7E is unfortunately extremely outclassed. Its potent ground attack capabilities offer minimal advantages in Air RB, and you are left only with its poor flight performance and bad manoeuvrability. Your best bet will be to attack ground targets in Air RB using your cannon. Don't try bombing bases as you are simply too slow; either other planes will get to the bases first, or the enemy will get to you first.

If you do want to attempt air combat in air RB, the A-7E does also have the ability to carry AIM-9G missiles, which can be used in conjunction with the potent cannon against distracted enemy fighters. Additionally, either the 20 mm M61 or 30 mm GAU-13/A rotary cannons can be equipped for devastating frontal firepower, though this decreases overall speed and manoeuvrability. One can make use of the A-7's reputation of being poor at air combat to bait people into head-ons (especially if gun pods are equipped), though this strategy is defeated if the enemy chooses to simply go up to simultaneously avoid your guns and energy trap you. The large quantity of countermeasures may improve survivability somewhat, but the poor manoeuvrability means if there is an enemy fighter on your tail trying to kill you with guns, you probably won't be able to shake them off and survive. Overall, for air combat in Air RB, the A-7E will always be severely limited by its poor flight performance and manoeuvrability, and this sees that you simply won't be doing much other than taking all head-ons or getting lucky kills.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Wide variety of powerful air-to-ground payloads
• Has thermal sights in the form of an optional AN/AAR-45 FLIR pod which significantly helps in locating ground targets in mixed battles
• Comes with an internal 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon, with the option to add either more 20 mm M61A1 Vulcans or the devastating 30 mm GAU-13/A cannons as gunpods
• Large amount of countermeasures
• Cockpit has a heads-up display and tactical map, both of which are useful in simulator battles

Cons:

• Poor manoeuvrability and loses lots of speed in turns
• Has poor speed for its BR, which makes it very difficult to bomb bases without being intercepted
• Equipping suspended ordnance further worsens its sluggish flight performance
• The FLIR pod's thermal sight is not linked to the Walleye's targeting sight, so you may lose track of a target when switching between the sights
• When using the thermal sight, it may be hard to distinguish alive enemy tanks from destroyed tanks and fires
• Long landing distance (airbrake cannot be extended with landing gear out, and no drogue chute)

History

The last iteration of the Corsair II series adopted into the US armed services was the A-7E. This aircraft operationally ran from 1968 until it retired from service in 1991. Other countries, Thailand, Portugal, and Greece continued to utilize the A-7E, with Greece being the last country to fly this aircraft, finally retiring it from service in 2014.

The A-7E is effectively a modified version of the A-7D upgraded for Naval operations. The main modifications to the aircraft allowed for its use in carrier operations, such as adding an arrestor hook, heavy-duty landing gear, and foldable wings allowing for more aircraft storage on or below the deck of aircraft carriers. This aircraft also received the newer AN/APN-190 doppler groundspeed and drift radar and the AN/APQ-128 terrain-following radar, which allowed for ground-hugging or terrain-hugging flight, making it more difficult for enemy radar units to detect the slower flying aircraft. As for the weapon loadout, this aircraft continued using the M61-A1 20mm rotary cannon and had two fuselage hard points for AIM-9D Sidewinders and up to six underwing hardpoints, which allowed for mounting of various rockets, missiles, or bombs.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the A-7E from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #277 - Metal Beasts section at 00:29 discusses the A-7E.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• LTV A-7D/E product overview from Vought's website.