Ayit
| This page is about the strike aircraft Ayit. For other versions, see A-4 (Family). |
Contents
Description
The A-4N Skyhawk II (Ayit) is a rank VI Israeli strike aircraft with a battle rating of 9.7 (AB/SB) and 9.3 (RB). It was introduced in Update "Winged Lions".
The A-4N Ayit is the most advanced version of the A-4 Skyhawk currently featured in War Thunder. Historically, it is a derivative of the A-4M Skyhawk operated by the United States Marine Corps. The appearance is nothing special, having the dorsal hump of the premium Israeli A-4E and the crooked refueling probe of the previous A-4E Early (M) in the tech tree. Under the hood, it has a more powerful engine and a large arsenal. It can equip dangerous infrared missiles for air combat and has early access to AGM-65A Maverick air-to-ground missiles for tank busting, easily outranging most anti-air systems at its battle rating.
Although it can be considered the ultimate Skyhawk, the Ayit's battle rating will pit it against supersonic jets with far superior performance, even when not carrying heavy ordnance. Thus, it should be flown opportunistically, avoiding direct air-to-air fights when possible and waiting for good moments to fire missiles at distracted jets or unload bombs onto ground targets.
General info
Flight performance
| Characteristics | Max Speed (km/h at 1,524 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | |||
| Stock | 1,092 | 1,083 | 12500 | 32.5 | 33.8 | 51.4 | 50.7 | 1,000 |
| Upgraded | 1,117 | 1,105 | 31.5 | 32.0 | 83.8 | 67.0 | ||
Details
| Features | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear | Drogue chute |
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 1,167 | 437 | 592 | 563 | 410 | ~8 | ~3 |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 450 | < 700 | < 490 | N/A |
Engine performance
| Engine | Aircraft mass | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine name | Number | Basic mass | Wing loading (full fuel) | ||||
| Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 | 1 | 5,055 kg | 311 kg/m2 | ||||
| Engine characteristics | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) | Max Takeoff Weight | |||||
| Weight (each) | Type | 10m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 36m fuel | ||
| 1,052 kg | Axial-flow turbojet | 5,795 kg | 6,421 kg | 7,104 kg | 7,523 kg | 11,113 kg | |
| Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB) | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%) | ||||||
| Condition | 100% | WEP | 10m fuel | 20m fuel | 30m fuel | 36m fuel | MTOW |
| Stationary | 4,516 kgf | N/A | 0.78 | 0.70 | 0.64 | 0.60 | 0.41 |
| Optimal | 4,516 kgf (0 km/h) |
N/A | 0.78 | 0.70 | 0.64 | 0.60 | 0.41 |
Survivability and armour
Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Armaments
| Ballistic Computer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CCIP (Guns) | CCIP (Rockets) | CCIP (Bombs) | CCRP (Bombs) |
 |
|
 |
|
Offensive armament
The Ayit is armed with:
- A choice between two presets:
- 2 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannons, belly-mounted (150 rpg = 300 total)
- 2 x 30 mm DEFA 553 cannons + 60 x countermeasures
Suspended armament
The Ayit can be outfitted with the following ordnance presets:
- Without load
- 2 x Shafrir 2 missiles
- 4 x Shafrir 2 missiles
- 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
- 171 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
- 36 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
- 4 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
- 20 x 250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs (5,000 lb total)
- 14 x 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs (7,000 lb total)
- 20 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (5,000 lb total)
- 14 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (7,000 lb total)
- 3 x 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs (2,250 lb total)
- 5 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (5,000 lb total)
- 3 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (6,000 lb total)
- 5 x BLU-27/B incendiary bombs
- 2 x 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs (1,020 kg total)
- 3 x AGM-65A missiles
- 1 x 2,000 lb GBU-8 bomb (2,000 lb total)
- 3 x 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannons (750 rpg = 2,250 total)
Custom loadout options
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 cannons (750 rpg) | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs | 1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 250 lb Mk 81 Snakeye bombs | 1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | |
| 500 lb Mk 82 Snakeye bombs | 1 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1 | |
| 750 lb M117 cone 45 bombs | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs | 1 | 3 | 1 | |||
| 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 510 kg AGM-62A Walleye I ER bombs | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 2,000 lb GBU-8 bombs | 1 | |||||
| BLU-27/B incendiary bombs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets | 19 | 38 | 57 | 38 | 19 | |
| Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets | 4 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 4 | |
| AGM-12B Bullpup missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| AGM-65A missiles | 3 | |||||
| AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Shafrir 2 missiles | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,000 kg | ||||||
Ayit's arsenal is upgraded compared to the previous Israeli A-4E. Plenty of unguided bombs and rockets are available as usual, and the ballistic computer now offers CCIP on top of the existing CCRP capability. However it still lacks CCIP for rockets, so the Ayit is not a first-rate rocket sled despite having a large capacity for rocket pods.
Two options are available for air-to-air ordnance, the domestic Shafrir 2 missile and the American AIM-9D, much improved over the A-4E's AIM-9B Sidewinders. Both have overloads of 18 G, which is very good for its battle rating, and enemies will need to put significant effort into dodging them kinetically. The AIM-9D has a better seeker and more range compared to the Shafrir at the cost of a smaller warhead and is the best option overall.
In terms of guided air-to-ground ordnance, there are four options. MCLOS Bullpup AGMs and TV-guided Walleye and GBU-8 guided bombs return from the A-4E and can still cause plenty of pain to ground targets in Ground RB. The new option is a triple rack of AGM-65 Maverick TV-guided AGMs mounted on the center pylon, and this one of the selling point of the Ayit. Mavericks are fast, pack a big punch against contemporary tanks, and leave the wing hardpoints free for air-to-air missiles or Walleyes while having three times the capacity of a single GBU-8 occupying the same spot.
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Has access to a large variety of mixed loadouts, including AGM-65 Mavericks
- Has the strongest engine among all Skyhawks in-game which allows it to accelerate very well
- Can carry the long range AIM-9D when most aircraft it faces have only AIM-9B or equivalent missiles
- Hard-hitting DEFA 553 cannons with a lot of ammunition
- Excellent roll rate and turn rate
- Has access to RWR, flares, and chaff
- Has a tough airframe that can take a surprising amount of punishment for its size and weight
Cons:
- Wings tend to rip easily during High-G turns
- No CCIP for the gun or for rockets
- DEFA 553 cannons have rather low muzzle velocity, which makes it harder to aim than most guns
- Aircraft performance can become unresponsive when carrying heavy loadouts
- Very average top speed which quickly becomes outclassed in uptiers
History
In the years between 1972 and 1976, Israel received 117 upgraded A-4Ms called the A-4N. The A-4N ("Ayit" which means eagle) received many updated avionics over the standard A-4M while retaining the J52-P-408 engine. These updates included new computers, a heads-up display, a mapping, and range radar (AN/APQ-145), ECM homing and warning receiver (AN/APR-36/37), and more. The A-4N also received 2 DEFA 30 mm cannons, unlike the A-4M which had 2 20 millimeter cannons. In addition, the cockpit was revised for better visibility.
In 1968, Israel launched a program to upgrade the Super Mystere with the Pratt & Whitney J52 to replace the original Atar 101. This program was launched in order to make the Super Mystere more similar to the A-4 Skyhawks Israel had at the time which also had the J52. In order to fit the J52, major structural redesigns were needed and one of these changes included an extension of the tailpipe. During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, a year after Israel started receiving A-4Ns, Israeli officials noticed that although the upgraded Super Mysteres and A-4Ns flew almost the exact same type of missions and faced the same type of enemies, fewer Super Mysteres were being lost to missiles than the A-4Ns. Further analysis proved that the extension of the tailpipe from the upgraded Super Mystere moved the missile's detonation further away from the aircraft, thus leading to less damage and a lower loss rate. The A-4N was recommended to receive a similar type of tailpipe which is why A-4Ns after 1973 have an extended tailpipe. Israel continued using the A-4N until it was fully retired in 2015, 43 years after it was introduced into service.
A few A-4Ns were acquired by Top Aces and Draken International. Draken International, a US-based company, provided training for the Air National Guard with their acquired A-4Ns. Top Aces has used A-4Ns for training the Canadian, Australian, and German armed forces.
Media
- Skins
See also
- Related development
External links
| Douglas Aircraft Company | |
|---|---|
| Strike Aircraft | A-20G-25 · A-26B-10 · A-26B-50 · AD-2 · AD-4 · A-1H |
| Bombers | TBD-1 · B-18A · SBD-3 · BTD-1 · A-26C-45 · A-26C-45DT |
| Turboprops | A2D-1 |
| Jet Aircraft | F3D-1 · F4D-1 |
| A-4 Skyhawk | A-4B · A-4E Early |
| Export | ▄Havoc Mk I · ▄Boston Mk I · ▄DB-7 · ▂A-20G-30 · ▄AD-4 · ▄AD-4NA |
| A-4 Skyhawk | A-4H · A-4E Early (M) · Ayit · A-4E |
| The Douglas Aircraft Company merged with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas. | |
| Israel jet aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Kfir Canard · Kfir C.2 · Kfir C.7 · Nesher | |
| Britain | |
| Meteor | Meteor NF.13 · Meteor F.8 |
| France | |
| Vautour | Vautour IIA · Vautour IIN |
| Super Mystere | Sambad · Sa'ar |
| Mirage III | Shahak |
| Other | M.D.450B Ouragan · Mystere IVA |
| USA | |
| F-84 | F-84F |
| A-4 | A-4H · A-4E Early (M) · A-4E · Ayit |
| F-4 | Kurnass · Kurnass 2000 |
| F-15 | Baz · Baz Meshupar · F-15I Ra’am |
| F-16 | Netz · F-16C Barak II · F-16D Barak II |
