Douglas OA-4M Skyhawk - USMC’s Dedicated Fast FAC Aircraft

[Nostalgistic]

Would you like to see this in-game?

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Douglas OA-4M Skyhawk

   Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest a dedicated American forward air control variant of the Skyhawk, the OA-4M. Essentially, it was a TA-4F fitted with avionics improvements associated with the A-4M, developed as part of lessons learned from the Vietnam War.

History

The concept of the OA-4M Skyhawk originated when the two-seat TA-4F, itself based on the single-seat A-4F Skyhawk, saw operational use during the Vietnam War. The US Marine Corps employed this type primarily in the fast forward air control role, where crews directed strike aircraft toward enemy positions and coordinated close air support operations over the battlefield. The second crew member proved especially valuable in these missions, assisting with navigation, target identification, and radio coordination.

In response to operational experience gained with TA-4Fs in Vietnam, a limited number of 23 TA-4F aircraft were later modified to the OA-4M standard in the late 1970s for improved forward air control capability. Essentially, the OA-4M was a TA-4F upgraded with avionics and systems found in the A-4M.

The modifications included improved communications and navigation systems, a KY-28 secure voice system, an APN-194 radar altimeter, and upgraded radio equipment such as the ARC-159 and ARC-114 VHF radios. One distinctive feature was the addition of a dorsal avionics/electronics hump, similar in appearance to that of the A-4M, faired into the rear of the two-seat canopy section. Additional cockpit side armor plating was also installed for improved crew protection.

However, certain A-4M systems were not included. The Angle/Rate Bombing System was not fitted, and the laser tracking/spotting capability associated with it was omitted and faired over, as the OA-4M was not intended for a dedicated precision strike role.

At one point, consideration was given to re-engining the OA-4M with the Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408, producing approximately 11,200 lbf of thrust, similar to the A-4M. However, this was ultimately not pursued, likely due to cost and complexity. As a result, the OA-4M retained the J52-P-8 engine of the TA-4F.

The first OA-4M, BuNo 165294, was tested at NATC Patuxent River, Maryland in July 1978. The first operational unit to receive the OA-4M was Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron (H&MS)-32 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. Later, VMA-131 of Marine Aircraft Group 49 (the “Diamondbacks”) operated the type until retiring its last OA-4Ms on 22 June 1994, marking the end of the variant’s USMC service life.

Specifications

Douglas OA-4M Skyhawk

General Characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 42 ft 6 in (12.95 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 3.6 in (4.66 m)
  • Wingspan: 27 ft 6 in (8.4 m)
  • Wing Area: 260 sq ft (24.15 sq m)
• Powerplant:
  • Type: 1 x Pratty & Whitney J52-P-8A turbojet
  • Power Output:
    • Military: 9,300 lbf (41.4 kN) @ 12,060 rpm
    • Normal: 8,200 lbf (36.5 kN) @ 11,660 rpm
• Fuel/Oil:
  • Fuel Capacity: 580 US-gal (2,196 L)
  • Oil Capacity: 5 US-gal (18.9 L)
• Weight:
  • Empty: 10,896 lb (4,942 kg)
  • Gross: 14,629 lb (6,636 kg)
  • Max. Takeoff: 24,500 lb (11,113 kg)

Flight Performance

• Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.64
• Wing Loading: 56 lb/sq ft (273 kg/sq m)
• Max Speed:
  • Sea Level: 590 kts (679 mph, 1,090 km/h)
  • At Altitude: 591 kts (680 mph, 1,095 km/h) @ 3,500 ft (1,067 m)
  • Stall:
    • Power-off: 101 kts (116 mph, 187 km/h)
    • Power-on: 96 kts (110 mph, 178 km/h)
• Rate of Climb: 11,900 fpm (60.45 m/s)
• Service Ceiling: 43,600 ft (13,289 m)

Armament

• Avionics:
  • AN/APG-53A surface radar
  • AN/AJB-3A LABS computer
  • AN/ALQ-126(V) ECM
  • AN/ALR-50B(V) Radar Receiver System
  • AN/ALR-45C(V) Homing and Warning System
• Guns:
  • 2 x 20 mm Colt Mk 12 Mod 0 cannons (100 rpg; 200 rds)
• Air-to-Air Missiles:
  • 4 x AIM-9D/G Sidewinders
• Air-to-Ground Missiles:
  • 5 x AGM-12A/B Bullpups
  • 2 x AGM-12C Bullpups
  • 4 x AGM-45A Shrikes
  • 3 x AGM-62 Walleyes
• Bombs:
  • Mk 80 Series General Purpose Bombs
  • 750-lb M117 Bombs
  • Mk-77/-79 Fire Bombs
  • Mk Series Sea Mines
• Rockets:
  • 7-tubed LAU-32A/A for 2.75” (69.85 mm) FFARs
  • 19-tubed LAU-3A/A for 2.75” (69.85 mm) FFARs
  • 4-tubed LAU-10/A for 5” (127mm) Zuni rockets
• Drop Tanks:
  • 1 x 400 US-gal drop tank
  • 3 x 300 US-gal drop tanks
  • 3 x 150 US-gal drop tanks
• Other:
  • AN/ALE-39 chaff/flare countermeasures dispenser

Images

Related Suggestions

• A-4A (A4D-1)
• A-4C (A4D2-N)
• A-4E “Late”
• A-4F
• A-4G
• A-4L
• A-4PTM
• A-4S
• A-4SU
• TA-4F

Sources

• Standard Aircraft Characteristics TA-4F Skyhawk (1 June 1971)
• Navair 01-40AVD-1P NATOPS Flight Manual (Partial) for the Douglas OA-4M Aircraft (1 February 1981)
• A-4 Skyhawk in Detail & Scale Vol. 32 (1989)
• Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Attack and Close-Support Fighter Bomber (2005)
• A-4 Skyhawk Production History | The Skyhawk Association
• Douglas OA-4M Skyhawk
• Douglas A-4 Skyhawk - Wikipedia

Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

[el_Argentino]

+1 we need more Skyhawks!

A other related suggestion for your list

LMAASA A-4AR - "The ultimate Skyhawk"

poll [image] An Introduction: Hello Guys!, today i bring to you the A-4AR, probably one of the last versions of the A-4 Skyhawk to ever see service, this little plane has a bit more than what meets the eye, as it was heavily modified to meet certain modern requirements (much like the Super Skyhawk and the Kahu projects that were done at the same time or previous to it, this Skyhawk saw the replacement of its radar, engine and the integration of modern countermeasures, avionics and some armame…

[thebackseagunner]

i think this would be a decent american equivalent to the isreali ayit, its lack of mavericks would make it fit decently at 9.7 imo

[Shin_Kazama]

I unfortunately have to disagree, as it’d get no ballistics calculator, would have a weaker engine, and would be vastly heavier. If we were to get a proper TT 9.7 Skyhawk, an early A-4M or basic A-4F would work (APR-25 RWR, two AIM-9D/Gs, etc).

As much as I’d like to see the OA-4M in-game, it’d fit better as an event vehicle or GE premium like the A-7K Corsair II.

[thebackseagunner]

i saw the walleyes and thought itd be the most similar, i cant think of anything that really compared to the ayit

[more_bid]

in theory (this was also used) you could use the back seater to lase targets for LGBs, although it wouldn’t be stabilized and you would need to tilt you wing over a bit to even start the track, it is technically possible, if not, then if gaijin ever implements a buddy lase system, you could be the one to lase targets for your fellow A-4s if they were to carry LGBs (no special racks needed as the bomb encloses the whole system needed as its a special package that’s screwed onto a basic MK.82)

[Shin_Kazama]

The only problem with buddy-lasing with the OA-4M is that I’m not 100% sure it had that capability, as it lacked the AN/ASB-19 ARBS that the standard A-4Ms (starting around 1974-1976) had. If the OA-4M was confirmed to use the handheld/cockpit mounted lasing system found on some foreign F-5s and Vietnam-era F-4Ds, then I could see it lol.

[more_bid]

I’m talking about the back seater using a hand guided laser, it was used a few times by the back seater, but it would be more accurate if a vehicle on the ground lased a target for a OA-4M to drop laser guided bombs with (hoping that buddy lasing gets added that is, as anything guided by a hand held laser is gonna be incarnate if not stabilized