As US Navy combat training activities ramped up to support the war in Vietnam, a pressing need arose to replace the ageing Grumman TF-9J Cougar. Originally bearing the designation TA-4E, the two-seat version of the Skyhawk was equipped with the more powerful 9,300 lb. s.t. J-52-P-8A turbojet. By April, 1966, when the first production example was rolled out, the type had been redesignated TA-4F.

Retaining full combat capability, the TA-4F was first delivered to VA-125 at NAS LeMoore's A-4 Combat Readiness Air Group in May, 1966. A number of these aircraft were used by the Marines as Forward Air Controller (FAC) platforms in Vietnam, with some being further modified to EA-4F ECM configuration. Two-hundred and thirty-eight examples were eventually produced.

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