Douglas A-4N Skyhawk II

The Douglas A‑4N Skyhawk II is an advanced variant of the iconic A‑4 single‑seat attack aircraft originally designed by Douglas Aircraft Company and produced after the 1967 merger that created McDonnell Douglas. First entered service with the United States Navy in 1965, the A‑4N was specifically developed for the Royal Australian Air Force in the early 1970s, incorporating a more powerful General Electric J52‑8 turbojet, upgraded avionics and a reinforced airframe. The aircraft retains the Skyhawk’s hallmark compact dimensions—just 40 ft 5 in length and a 27‑ft wingspan—while delivering a maximum speed of Mach 0.9 and a combat radius of 300 nautical miles. Its internal weapons bay and four under‑wing pylons can accommodate a wide range of ordnance, from conventional bombs to AGM‑65 Maverick missiles, and it features a modernized flight‑control system, head‑up display and digital navigation suite. The A‑4N served as a versatile trainer and front‑line fighter until its retirement in 1999, and it remains a symbol of Cold‑War naval aviation, influencing later light‑attack designs such as the A‑4M and the modern L‑159. Its low operating cost and agility continue to be studied in current light combat aircraft programs.

McDonnell Douglas

Douglas A-4N Skyhawk II

Classification

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Design & Classification