US Attack Aviation: Air Force and Navy Light Attack, 1916 to the Present

Attack aviation is intense and dangerous, requiring the direct engagement of ground targets at low altitude. This book provides an overview history of American attack aviation from its inception to present, including case studies of the SBD Dauntless, AD Skyraider, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair II, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and F/A-18 Hornet.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 18 December 2022
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

Attack aviation is a thrilling and perilous endeavor that demands direct engagement with ground targets at low altitudes. Typically, attack aircraft are fighters or fighter-sized aircraft equipped with one or two engines and manned by one or two crew members. This comprehensive history of American attack aviation spans from its inception to the present, encompassing both the United States Navy and Air Force.

To provide a deeper understanding of the evolution of technology and tactics, several case studies are presented. These case studies feature the SBD Dauntless, AD Skyraider, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair II, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and F/A-18 Hornet. Each case includes first-person accounts that provide a detailed description of the aircraft's origin, competitive procurement, major attack features, and combat employment.

Author R. G. Head, a retired Brigadier General with extensive combat experience (325 missions, DFC, Silver Star) and a profound understanding of doctrine (teaching future pilots at the Air Force Academy), gained firsthand exposure to the policy and engineering aspects of aircraft procurement while serving at the Pentagon and later as a private consultant working closely with the US Navy. This book is a captivating tale of flying, narrated by naval aviators, Air Force fighter pilots, and the men who crafted the airplanes these pilots flew.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764363566