The US. Navy’s VAL (Heavier-than-air, Attack, Light) requirement was placed to replace their A-4s. Its key demand was that the resulting aircraft has be in some way a modification of an operational US. Navy model. Grumman proposed a single-seat, less sophisticated version of their Intruder. A bit too much for what Navy wanted, they thought the low development cost and the close commonality with the same basic airframe when operated joinly would trump its higher cost. No joy, the Navy took the A-7 instead.
The partial mock-up in all its hideousness. The A-7 is an acquired taste, but this A-6 was just plain awful. And I’m a “Tadpole” fan.
Aviation Rapture 
Yes the Mini Intruder was an abomination, but the A-7 was beautiful. Remember the old Marine Corp adage, when your out of Corsairs, your out of luck! Sadly, were out of luck these days.