The A-7 Corsair II was initially developed in response to a 1963 U.S. Navy requirement for an aircraft to replace the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Since the Navy wanted the aircraft to be in service by 1967, the speed of development was essential. The Vought company based their contract-winning design on their F-8 Crusader which was already in Navy service. The prototype flew in 1965 and the first A-7 squadron entered combat in Vietnam in December 1967. The plane proved to be wildly successful as a close air support and strike aircraft. In 1968, the A-7D version of the Corsair II went into production for the U. S. Air Force. Changes included a more powerful engine, improved avionics, and an internal gun. The Navy was impressed with the improved performance of the new version and it was adopted for Navy use as the A-7E. They entered service in 1970 and remained in front line use until 1991 where they saw combat for the last time over Iraq and Kuwait.
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