The navy today announced forthcoming flight tests of the XA3D, its newest attack plane. This twin jet carrier plane, built by Douglas Aircraft Corporation will reflect experience gained in Korea concerning requirements for such an aircraft. It is an advancement on the Ad Skyraider, which has been the standard Navy attack plane since its appearance in the fleet in the late 1947. The XA3D is a swept wing aircraft with a crew of three. It is powered by two jets, each slung in a pod under the wing outboard of the fuselage. It will be in the six to seven hundred mile per hour class. As in other carrier aircraft the wings of the A3D will fold to permit easier handling and more compact storage aboard ship. Navy authorities declined to release detailed performance data. But stated that no known airplane of comparable size now in service or contemplated for early service introduction can carry an equivalent bomb load as high and as fast as the A3D carrier based attack aircraft.

Photo is dated 1952.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.