Īn artist's impression of the A-12 Avenger II in flight The A-12 gained the nickname "Flying Dorito". The craft was a flying wing design in the shape of an isosceles triangle, with the cockpit situated near the apex of the triangle. The A-12 was promoted as a possible replacement for the Air Force's General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, and for the United Kingdom's Panavia Tornado fighter-bombers. In addition, the Air Force briefly considered ordering some 400 of an A-12 derivative.
The Navy initially sought to buy 620 A-12s and Marines wanted 238. The A-12 was named Avenger II in homage to the World War II-era Navy torpedo-bomber Grumman TBF Avenger. The first flight was initially planned for December 1990. The McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics team was awarded a development contract and the ATA aircraft was designated A-12. The McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics team was selected as the winner on 13 January 1988 the rival team led by Grumman surprisingly failed to submit a final bid. The teams were awarded contracts for further concept development in 1986. Concept design contracts were awarded to the industry teams of McDonnell Douglas/ General Dynamics, and Northrop/ Grumman/ Vought in November 1984.
Stealth technology developed for the United States Air Force would be used heavily in the program. The program was to develop and field a replacement for the A-6 Intruder by 1994. The United States Navy began the Advanced Tactical Aircraft (ATA) program in 1983.
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