LTV A-7P Corsair II
The Portuguese Air Force (PoAF) operated 50 LTV A-7 Corsair II aircraft in the anti-ship, air interdiction and air defense roles between 1981 and 1999. The Portuguese government acquired the Corsair II to replace the PoAF's North American F-86 Sabre fighters, with two orders being placed for a total of 50 A-7Ps and TA-7Ps. As part of the program one TA-7C belonging to the United States Navy was also loaned to the PoAF.
| A-7P Corsair II | |
|---|---|
| Portuguese Air Force A-7P in flight | |
| Role | Attack aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Ling-Temco-Vought |
| Retired | 1999 |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Portuguese Air Force (historical) |
| Developed from | LTV A-7 Corsair II |
During its 18 years of service in the PoAF the A-7 fleet suffered 14 accidents and suffered from numerous maintenance and logistic problems in its last years of service due to the lack of spare parts and financial problems. Nevertheless, the program was seen as a success due to the evolution that it allowed the Air Force in aircraft maintenance, with focus in modern computer and electronic systems, and in the qualification of technicians and the modernization of the Portuguese military aviation industry.