The Skywarrior was the largest and heaviest aircraft to regularly operate from an aircraft carrier, earning the nickname "Whale." Skywarriors began service in 1956 as a carrier-‐ based strategic bomber. This role was phased-‐out by the early 1960s as the US Navy's main strategic deterrent role moved to Ballistic Missile Submarines. Prior to the Vietnam War, many Skywarriors were converted into aerial tankers or to serve on defensive electronic countermeasure duty.
| Type | Naval Electronic Warfare Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Bureau number | 146457 |
| Manufacturer | Douglas |
| Powerplant | Two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 Turbojets rated at 46.71 kN (10,480 lb thrust) Dry and 55.16 kN (12,375 lb thrust) with water injection |
| Maximum speed | 982 km/h (609 mph) at 3,050 m (10,000 ft) |
| Range | 4667 km (2895 miles) |
| Service ceiling | 12,495 m (41,000 ft) |
| Weights | Empty 17,876 kg (39,327 lb) Loaded 31,752 kg (69,854 lb) Maximum overload take-‐off 37,195 kg (81,830 lb) |
| Armament | Twin 20-mm tail cannon |
| Dimensions | Span: 22.10 m (72 ft 6 in) Length: 23.27 m (76 ft 4 in) Height: 6.95 m (22 ft 9 in) Wing area: 75.43m2 (812 sq ft) |
