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Douglas A3D/A-3 Skywarrior Carrier-Based Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft Family

The Douglas A3D/A-3 Skywarrior was a large carrier-based jet aircraft designed for the U.S. Navy postwar heavy-attack requirement. It became the largest aircraft routinely operated from an aircraft carrier and remained useful across decades as an attack aircraft, tanker, reconnaissance platform, and electronic-warfare aircraft, making the family significant beyond its original bomber role.

Douglas A3D/A-3 Skywarrior Carrier-Based Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft Family
U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo 2011.003.233.012 via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain: Commons identifies this as a U.S. Navy official-duty photograph and public-domain work of the U.S. federal government; the file carries a Public Domain Mark and no known copyright restrictions. Credit the U.S. Navy/National Museum of Naval Aviation source as requested. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
A3D SkywarriorA-3 SkywarriorDouglas WhaleXA3D
Family Name
Douglas A3D/A-3 Skywarrior
Full Name
Douglas A3D/A-3 Skywarrior Carrier-Based Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft Family
Roles
militaryreconnaissanceutility
Status
retired
Type
aircraft

Details

Aircraft Specs
Configuration
fixed_wing
Operating Modes
land
Takeoff Landing Capabilities
conventional
Description
The Douglas A3D/A-3 Skywarrior was a large carrier-based jet aircraft designed for the U.S. Navy postwar heavy-attack requirement. It became the largest aircraft routinely operated from an aircraft carrier and remained useful across decades as an attack aircraft, tanker, reconnaissance platform, and electronic-warfare aircraft, making the family significant beyond its original bomber role.
First Flight Year
1,952
Manufacturer

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
August 7, 2026 at 02:44:13 UTC
Updated Time
August 22, 2026 at 11:41:10 UTC