The variety of payload the A4 Skyhawk carried evolved dramatically as new systems were developed to meet the increasing  challenges of air to air and air to ground combat. In its long lifespan as a low level fighter/attack aircraft, the A4 could boast capabilities needed to match almost any conceivable circumstance.

The following list is by no means exhaustive. It is drawn exclusively from long personal ordnance experience with this aircraft (referred to as "birds", in the Marine aviation environment), and represents the most common ordnance payloads associated with it in tactical mission situations.

Mk 80 Series GP/HE (General Purpose High Explosive) Bombs.

• Mk 81 - 250 lb
• Mk 82 - 500 lb
• Mk 83 - 1000 lb
• Mk 84 - 2000 lb

Bombs may be configured for a variety of mission requirements from retarded (low altitude high drag) release, to conical (high altitude low drag) release. May be fused for instantaneous or subsurface burst, proximity, or long time delay burst.

MER (Multiple Ejector Rack) -  Delivery device capable of holding up to six weapons.

TER (Triple Ejector Rack) -   Delivery device capable of holding up to three weapons.

LGB (Laser Guided Bomb) - A specially configured Mk 80 series bomb with a laser nose guidance system, and a tail mounted glide assist unit. Ground personnel laser illuminate the intended target and the bomb's acquisition unit guides weapon to the designated target.

Firebomb (Napalm) - Explosive fuel gelatin canister.

CBU (Cluster Bomb Unit) - Separable casing containing multiple bomblets designed to spread over a wide area .

FAE - (Fuel Air Explosive) -  Bomb consisting of a separable casing and an explosive liquid fuel. Fuel is spread mid-air  after canister separation and detonated by an igniter, inducing concussion damage to target.

2.75" Rocket -  ("Mighty Mite") Air to ground attack weapon.  Multiple warhead configurations.

5.00" Rocket -  ("Zuni") Air to ground attack weapon. Multiple warhead configurations.

Walleye - Self-guided air to ground glide bomb. Pilot locks weapon onto desired target and nose mounted camera guides bomb to its destination. Effective for strikes requiring precision and accuracy.

Shrike - Air to ground missile designed to seek and destroy enemy radar units.

Sidewinder (AIM-9) - Air to air missile designed to destroy enemy aircraft. Range, approximately 60 miles.

Mk12 - 20mm machinegun - Wing root mounted (one on left and right side), single barrel. Cyclic rate approximately 1000 rpm (rounds per minute) Capable of multiple projectile configuration, including TP (target practice), incendiary, armor piercing, high explosive,  and tracer. Can be employed for air to air, or air to ground strafing.

Mk4 Gun Pod - A wing station mounted unit carrying 2 enclosed Mk 12 machine guns firing in tandem

GPU 2/A Gun Pod - A wing station mounted unit carrying an enclosed M197 (rotary, 3 barreled 20mm) machine gun.

Chaff - Multi-dispenser unit with dischargeable cartridges containing metallic foil substance for fouling enemy radar acquisition.

Flare - Multi-dispenser unit with dischargeable cartridges containing heat generating flares for diversion of enemy heat seeking missiles.

JATO (Jet Assisted Take Off) - Auxiliary thrust unit mounted on speed brakes. Used to assist aircraft in take off on short runways and/or with extremely heavy payloads.