Meet The A-12 Avenger Ii: 10 Surprising Facts

The A-12 Avenger II is a proposed American stealth bomber that was intended to replace the Grumman A-6 Intruder in the United States Navy. Although the project was canceled in 1991, the A-12 remains an interesting footnote in the history of military aviation. Here are 10 surprising facts about the A-12 Avenger II:

The A-12 Avenger II was a flying wing design, meaning that it had no distinct fuselage or tail section. Instead, the aircraft's wings were blended together to form a single, curved surface.

Development and Cancellation

The A-12 Avenger II was developed by a team of contractors led by McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics. The project was initially estimated to cost around $25 billion, but this figure eventually ballooned to over $50 billion. Despite the significant investment, the project was canceled in 1991 due to a combination of technical issues and rising costs.

Technical Issues

One of the main technical issues that plagued the A-12 Avenger II was its use of composite materials. While composites offered significant weight savings and improved durability, they were also difficult to work with and prone to cracking. The A-12's designers also struggled to develop a suitable radar-absorbent material (RAM) to reduce the aircraft's radar signature.

Design and Features

Despite its technical issues, the A-12 Avenger II was an impressive aircraft in terms of design and features. Here are a few key facts about the A-12's design:

The A-12 Avenger II had a wingspan of over 70 feet (21 meters) and a length of around 37 feet (11 meters).
The aircraft was powered by two General Electric F412-GE-400 non-afterburning turbofans, each producing around 13,000 pounds of thrust.
The A-12 Avenger II had a maximum takeoff weight of around 80,000 pounds (36,287 kilograms).

Stealth Capabilities

The A-12 Avenger II was designed to be a stealthy aircraft, with a number of features intended to reduce its radar signature. These included:

A flying wing design, which eliminated the need for a distinct fuselage or tail section.
The use of radar-absorbent materials (RAM) to reduce the aircraft's radar signature.
A serrated edge on the wing's leading edge, which helped to scatter radar waves.

Legacy

Although the A-12 Avenger II was canceled before it could enter service, the project had a lasting impact on the development of military aviation. Here are a few key facts about the A-12's legacy:

The A-12 Avenger II was one of the first aircraft to use composite materials extensively.
The project's use of radar-absorbent materials (RAM) helped to pave the way for future stealth aircraft.
The A-12 Avenger II's flying wing design influenced the development of later aircraft, including the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit.

Preservation

Several A-12 Avenger II mockups and test articles are preserved in museums and storage facilities around the United States. These include:

A full-scale mockup of the A-12 Avenger II, which is on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
A test article for the A-12's General Electric F412-GE-400 engine, which is preserved at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

Gallery of A-12 Avenger II

A-12 Avenger II Image Gallery

FAQs

What was the A-12 Avenger II?

The A-12 Avenger II was a proposed American stealth bomber that was intended to replace the Grumman A-6 Intruder in the United States Navy.

Why was the A-12 Avenger II canceled?

The A-12 Avenger II was canceled in 1991 due to a combination of technical issues and rising costs.

What were some of the A-12 Avenger II's notable features?

The A-12 Avenger II had a flying wing design, used radar-absorbent materials (RAM) to reduce its radar signature, and had a serrated edge on the wing's leading edge.

We hope you've enjoyed learning more about the A-12 Avenger II. Do you have any questions or comments about this fascinating aircraft? Let us know in the comments below!