Editing Grumman A-6 Intruder (section)

===A-6E===
[[File:A-6E Intruder over Spain in Operation Matador.jpg|thumb|An A-6E 'SWIP' Intruder of VA-34 flying over Spain during Exercise Matador.]]

The definitive attack version of the Intruder with vastly upgraded navigation and attack systems, introduced in 1970 and first deployed on 9 December 1971. The earlier separate search and track (fire control) radars of the A-6A/B/C were replaced by a single Norden AN/APQ-148 multi-mode radar, and onboard computers with a more sophisticated (and generally more reliable) IC based system, as opposed to the A-6A's DIANE discrete transistor-based technology. A new AN/ASN-92 inertial navigation system was added, along with the CAINS (Carrier Aircraft Inertial Navigation System), for greater navigation accuracy.

[[File:Last VA-34 A-6E Intruder launch from USS George Washington (CVN-73) on 22 July 1996 (6526829).jpg|thumb|left|Final VA-34 A-6E SWIP Intruder launch from the flight deck of {{USS|George Washington|CVN-73|6}}, 1996.]]
Beginning in 1979, all A-6Es were fitted with the [[AN/AAS-33]] DRS (Detecting and Ranging Set), part of the 'Target Recognition and Attack Multi-Sensor' (TRAM) system, a small, gyroscopically stabilized turret, mounted under the nose of the aircraft, containing a [[forward-looking infra-red]] (FLIR) boresighted with a [[laser]] spot-tracker/designator and [[IBM]] [[IBM System/4 Pi|AN/ASQ-155]] computer. TRAM was matched with a new Norden AN/APQ-156 radar. The BN could use both TRAM imagery and radar data for extremely accurate attacks, or use the TRAM sensors alone to attack without using the Intruder's radar (which might warn the target). TRAM also allowed the Intruder to autonomously designate and drop [[laser-guided bomb]]s. In addition, the Intruder used an Airborne [[moving target indicator|Moving Target Indicator]] (AMTI), which allowed the aircraft to track a moving target (such as a tank or truck) and drop ordnance on it even though the target was moving. Also, the computer system allowed the use of Offset Aim Point (OAP), giving the crew the ability to drop on a target unseen on radar by noting coordinates of a known target nearby and entering the offset range and bearing to the unseen target.

In the 1980s, the A-6E TRAM aircraft were converted to the A-6E 'Weapons Control System Improvement' (WCSI) version to extend weapons capability. This added the ability to carry and target some of the first generation precision guided weapons, like the [[AGM-84 Harpoon]] missile, and [[AGM-123 Skipper]]. WCSI equipped aircraft were eventually modified to have a limited capability to use the [[AGM-84E SLAM]] standoff land attack missile. Since the Harpoon and SLAM missiles had common communication interfaces, WCSI aircraft could carry and fire SLAM missiles, but needed a nearby A-6E SWIP to guide them to target.

[[File:AN-APQ-148 Radar, Norden, 1972 - National Electronics Museum - DSC00068.JPG|thumb|upright|Norden [[AN/APQ-148]] Radar<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/jetds/an-apq.html |title=AN/APQ – Airborne Multipurpose/Special Radars |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2007-07-01 |website=designation-systems.net|access-date=2015-01-27}}</ref>]]
In the early 1990s, some surviving A-6Es were upgraded under SWIP (Systems/Weapons Improvement Program) to enable them to use the latest precision-guided munitions, including [[AGM-65 Maverick]]s, AGM-84E SLAMs, [[AGM-62 Walleye]]s and the [[AGM-88 HARM]] [[anti-radiation missile]] as well as additional capability with the AGM-84 Harpoon. A co-processor was added to the AN/ASQ-155 computer system to implement the needed MIL-STD-1553 digital interfaces to the pylons, as well as an additional control panel. After a series of wing-fatigue problems, about 85% of the fleet was fitted with new graphite/epoxy/titanium/aluminum composite wings. The new wings proved to be a mixed blessing, as a composite wing is stiffer and transmits more force to the fuselage, accelerating fatigue in the fuselage. In 1990, the decision was made to terminate production of the A-6. Through the 1970s and 1980s, the A-6 had been in low-rate production of four or five new aircraft a year, enough to replace mostly accidental losses. The final production order was for 20 aircraft of the SWIP configuration with composite wings, delivered in 1993.

A-6E models totaled 445 aircraft, about 240 of which were converted from earlier A-6A/B/C models.