Turboprop Skyshark

This burly airplane the Douglas XA2D Skyshark, is a Navy attack on a pressing problem: how to fly modern bombers off carriers. Straight jets are difficult because they have little thrust on takeoff, and so find the flight deck cramped. Old style bombers (Piston engines and propellers) are not fast enough.

The Skyshark has a T40 Allison twin turboprop engine (5,500 h.p.) driving counterrotating propellers. The props give it high take-off thrust, and the gas turbines give it high power for low engine weight. After the take-off with a heavv load of bombs or fuel, the pilot can shut down one of the turbines and cruise at economically low speed. The Navy says that the Skyshark has "performance comparable with that of many operational jet fighters." Armed with rockets bombs, torpedoes, etc., it can support amphibious troops, as well as attack surface ships, may also turn out to be useful as a fighter escort for bombers.

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