Work on the Skyknight began in 1945 with a Navy request for proposals for a two-seat jet night fighter. The prototype took to the air for the first time in March 1948 and the first production aircraft began entering service in 1950. The second version of the Skyknight designated F3D-3 was intended to use a larger Westinghouse J46 engine. However, problems with this engine and its eventual cancellation left this later version with only a slightly upgraded version of the original J34 engine. Skyknights served extensively in the Korean War and had more kills than any other Navy or Marine night fighter. The F3D remained in service until 1970 as a trainer and electronic warfare aircraft.
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