Left out of the article was much mention of the S-3B. The S-3B could maximize the capabilities of the Harpoon anti-ship missile. We planned for a potential swarm attack on Soviet task groups 500+ miles away. The A-6 and A-7 couldn’t reach out that far, nor could the A-6 put the Harpoon to best use.
I forgot about that, it could also fly strike missions with the Harpoons.
What a great aircraft it was.