The proposed A-12 Avenger II never advanced beyond a mock-up before cancellation, and the resulting litigation was not finally settled until 2014. A-6 production continued into 1992 even though Navy retirement followed in 1997 and Marine retirement in 1993. That timing meant some recently built aircraft had very short service lives. The EA-6B Prowler derivative served the Navy until 2015 and the Marine Corps until 2019. This chronology shows the risk of discarding an adaptable platform before its successor is ready.
Notable Point · 3:18-5:15
The failed A-12 replacement and the Intruder family's long service
The A-12 remained a mock-up, while late A-6 production and the Prowler's service through 2019 show how long the Intruder family remained useful.