Technology

Cold War Aggressor: EA-7L the ‘electric’ TA-7C Corsair-2

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At least six U.S. Navy TA-7C Corsair-2 training aircraft were sent to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-34 and converted to EA-7L electronic ‘aggressor’ aircraft.  Apparently they were still marked as TA-7Cs?

In this photo you can see that these VAQ-34 EA-7Ls(?) are still marked as TA-7Cs on the fuselage sides. VAQ-34 also flew ‘pure’ TA-7Cs, but both these aircraft are carrying black nosed Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pods.

VAQ-34 was created in 1983, and based at Point Magu in California.  Point Magu is also the home of the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC).

A view of a TA-7C ‘pre-EA-7L’ Corsair II aircraft fitted with a pod carrying a Radar Signal Simulator (RSS), parked in front of Building 351 at the Pacific Missile Test Center, California. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

The EA-7L was the result of Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) testing, also at the PMTC, in 1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with a red RSS pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Pacific Missile Test Center, Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, TA-7C/EA-7L fitted with a red Radar Signal Simulator (RSS) pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, EA-7L/TA-7C fitted with a white RSS pod. USN photo by M. Washington, 27JUN1982.

EA-7L Aggressor during the U.S. 3rd Fleet North Pacific Exercise at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

Carrying a black nosed RSS pod. U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

U.S. Air Force photo by Sergeant W. Thornton, 08NOV1987.

About to be retired, EA-7L Corsair II of the Pacific Missile Test Center, 30DEC1991. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Bruce Trombecky.

Photo by Aeroprints.

One EA-7L crashed in 1990, another EA-7L was sold to Greece, two appear to be missing and the rest of the EA-7Ls were retired in 1991, apparently now rotting away at The Bone Yard that is Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

Photo by Aeroprints.

VAQ-34 was disbanded by the end of 1993, due to ‘aggressor’ duties being transferred to U.S. Naval Reserve units.

USAF A-7D: COLD WAR MAINTENANCE WALK AROUND

Written by: Hutchins AAron on January 19, 2022.