![x mirage corsair x mirage corsair](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/64/86/cc/6486ccc8790a6679c4350623db7433f3.jpg)
At its low price, however, the aircraft provides a cost-effective light strike platform, which can also attack helicopters with its gun, and which has some level of aerial protection thanks to the same. It has moderate speed, but not significant enough to run from a threat. The aircraft is vulnerable to attacks from long-range radar-guided SAMs and enemy fighter aircraft.
![x mirage corsair x mirage corsair](https://i.redd.it/xusez48rqdm51.jpg)
The major drawbacks of the A-7E are its lack of ECM, and lack of AAMs for self defense. The Vulcan cannon allows the Corsair to attack enemy helicopters, to strafe infantry and lightly armored vehicles to good effect, and provides a level of protection against enemy fighters, though the aircraft has no missile compliment for that purpose. Carrying two napalm bombs and an M61A1 Vulcan cannon, the Corsair is best used to attack infantry entrenched in buildings or forests, to force vehicles out of hiding, or for area denial operations with its napalm bombs. The A-7E Corsair II is an inexpensive strike platform for NATO forces. Later variants of the A-7E featured a FLIR pod under the starboard wing for enhanced strike capability at night or in bad weather. Based on the A-7D, but using the TF41-A-2 engine, the A-7E Corsair II performs attack, close air support (CAS), and interdiction missions, and saw good use during the Vietnam War. The Ling-Temco-Voight A-7E Corsair II is the definitive variant of the A-7 light strike aircraft used by the US Navy, entering service in May of 1970.