The Martin AM Mauler was a single-seat carrier-based attack aircraft built for the United States Navy. Designed during World War II, the Mauler encountered development delays and did not enter service until 1948 in small numbers. The aircraft proved troublesome and remained in frontline service only until 1950, when the Navy switched to the smaller and simpler Douglas AD Skyraider. Maulers remained in reserve squadrons until 1953. A few were built as AM-1Q electronic-warfare aircraft with an additional crewman in the fuselage.
Martin AM Mauler
Two AM-1s during armament tests 30 March 1949; the aircraft closest to the camera is the one that set the unofficial payload record and is today preserved in the National Naval Aviation Museum
A Naval Air Reserve AM-1Q
A VA-174 AM-1 taking off from USS Kearsarge on 27 December 1948
An attack aircraft, strike aircraft, or attack bomber is a tactical military aircraft that has a primary role of carrying out airstrikes with greater precision than bombers, and is prepared to encounter strong low-level air defenses while pressing the attack. This class of aircraft is designed mostly for close air support and naval air-to-surface missions, overlapping the tactical bomber mission. Designs dedicated to non-naval roles are often known as ground-attack aircraft.
A USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft in flight
An A-1 Skyraider of the USAF
RAF Harrier GR9 in flight, 2008
Boeing GA-1, ~1920