Designed in 1947 to fit the role of a heavy bomber capable of operating from carriers, the "Skywarrior" was intended to maximize the combination of jet-engine power and nuclear weapons delivery capability. The initial designed gross weight of 60,000 lbs (later increased to 82,000 lbs) made it the largest and heaviest plane ever projected for use from carriers then in service. The A-3 incorporated a 36 degree swept-wing design, podded engines, and an internal weapons storage bay capable of carrying 12,000 lbs of ordnance. First flown on October 28, 1952, the first of fifty production models were delivered to the Navy on March 31, 1956. It was these aircraft (manned by three crewmen) that were instrumental in evaluating the total concept of carrier-based strategic bombers, and experimenting with their use aboard aircraft carriers. Because of its size, the A3D was known as the "Whale". Unlike most jet aircraft, the A3D was not equipped with an ejection seat. Instead, the crew exited the A3D through a chute under the fuselage.

Two hundred and thirty variants of this first version of the A3D would see service in a wide array of missions. The A3D-2 incorporated a change in the weapons bay in order to accommodate a wider range of weapons stores (including mines), as well as a 1,082 gallon in-flight refueling pack. The YA3D-1P photo-reconnaissance version and the A3D-2Q (EA-3B) radar countermeasures and electronic reconnaissance aircraft were also developed. The A3D-2T with a pressurized fuselage was employed as a trainer for radar/navigation crewmen and could accommodate six pupils plus an instructor and the pilot.

During the Vietnam War, the "Skywarrior" served in the tanker and countermeasures capacity. Navy squadrons operated the EA-3B as a radar countermeasures and electronic jamming aircraft while the KA-3B tanker was utilized to top up the fuel for carrier-based strike aircraft on their way to missions into Vietnam. About thirty aircraft became EKA-3Bs with the dual role of countermeasures as well as tanker aircraft.

Significant records established by the A3D included:

• Non-stop flight without refueling from Hawaii to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

• Non-stop flight without refueling from a West coast carrier to Jacksonville, Florida via Oklahoma City and winning the Douglas Trophy for the first leg of the flight at an average speed of 606 mph.

• Two transcontinental speed records on a round trip flight from Los Angeles to New York and return, and on a mainland to Hawaii flight.

•  Heaviest aircraft to launch from a carrier at 84,000 lbs.e. Longest (6100 miles) nonstop flight by a carrier tactical aircraft from Naval Station Rota, Spain to NAS Alameda, CA.

The last of the A-3s was retired in 1993