Amid the Cold War, the US Air Force called for a new, faster ground attack and close air support aircraft. One proposed answer to this call was the YA-7F. A heavily modified A-7, the YA-7F could cruise at the speed of sound due to its design changes that included a longer fuselage to better fit the stronger engine. Manufacturers modified only two A-7s before the US Air Force selected to invest in the new, faster F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
Before the aircraft on display was modified to a YA-7, it served in various tactical fighter wings near the end of the Vietnam War. When the call for modified A-7s went out, this airframe became one of the two YA-7Fs. As the US Air Force ended the modification program, this airframe was promptly turned over to the US Air Force Museum Program because of its unique nature. This Corsair II then made its way to the Hill Aerospace Museum in 1991.
During the classified development of the F-117 Nighthawk in the 1980s, Airmen used the A-7 to distract the public from the real operations of the world’s first stealth fighter. Rumor spread that the the F-117 flight test unit was flying the outdated A-7s to test advanced avionics, rather than the world’s first stealth fighter.
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 70-1039
Manufacturer: Ling-Temco-Vought
Primary Function: Attack Bomber
Crew: One
Engines: One Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan
Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in
Length: 49 ft
Height: 17 ft 6 in
Weight: Empty: 21,800 lbs.; Maximum Takeoff Weight: 46,000 lbs. Thrust: 26,000 lbs. with Afterburner
Speed: Maximum: 920 mph; Cruising Speed: 550 mph
Range: 2,302 miles (w/four 300-gallon external tanks)
Service Ceiling: 55,000 ft
Armament: One M61A1 20mm rotary cannon;
Payload: Over 17,000 lbs external ordnance
Years of Service: 1987 – 1990
The YA-7F was a heavily modified version of the A-7 Corsair II ground attack aircraft. Developed during the Cold War, it featured a longer fuselage to accommodate a more powerful engine and could reach supersonic speeds—a significant improvement over the subsonic standard A-7.
Only two A-7 aircraft were modified to YA-7F configuration. The US Air Force ended the modification program before additional conversions could occur, selecting instead to invest in the newer, faster F-16 Fighting Falcon for ground attack and close air support missions.
The US Air Force called for a new, faster ground attack and close air support aircraft during the Cold War. The YA-7F was one proposed solution, offering improved speed and performance capabilities while leveraging the proven A-7 airframe with modifications including a stronger engine.
The YA-7F featured significant design changes including a longer fuselage to fit the more powerful Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofan engine. These modifications enabled the YA-7F to cruise at the speed of sound, unlike the subsonic standard A-7 Corsair II.
The US Air Force selected the F-16 Fighting Falcon instead of the YA-7F. After only two aircraft were modified, the YA-7F program ended as the Air Force chose to invest in the newer F-16 platform for ground attack operations.
The YA-7F had a maximum speed of 920 mph and a cruising speed of 550 mph. This represented a substantial performance improvement over the standard A-7, which was subsonic. The enhanced speed came from the aircraft’s more powerful turbofan engine.
During the classified development of the F-117 Nighthawk in the 1980s, Airmen used A-7 aircraft to distract the public from real stealth fighter operations. Rumors spread that the outdated A-7s were testing advanced avionics, rather than the F-117 flying nearby.
This YA-7F arrived at Hill Aerospace Museum in 1991. Because of its unique nature as one of only two aircraft modified to this configuration, the US Air Force Museum Program promptly turned it over for preservation and display.
No, the personnel of Hill Air Force Base never performed maintenance on this aircraft. After testing ended in 1990, both YA-7F prototypes went directly to the Air Force Museum Program due to their rarity. During that same period, Hill personnel were busy disassembling, transporting, and reassembling the legendary SR-71C Blackbird, ultimately completing the complex two-month project in October 1991.
