McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II

A-12 Avenger II
Artist's impression of the A-12 in flight
General information
TypeAll-weather naval stealth bomber[1]
ManufacturerMcDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics
StatusCanceled
Primary usersUnited States Navy
Number built0; mockup only

The General Dynamics/McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II was a proposed American attack aircraft from General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas. It was to be an all-weather, carrier-based stealth bomber replacement for the Grumman A-6 Intruder in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Its Avenger II name was taken from the Grumman TBF Avenger of World War II.

The development of the A-12 was troubled by cost overruns and several delays, causing questions of the program's ability to deliver upon its objectives; these doubts led to the development program's cancellation in 1991. The manner of its cancellation was contested through litigation until a settlement was reached in January 2014.

  1. ^ Stevenson 2001, p. 35.