Today, 03:03
Speedbrakes were ALWAYS used in the A-4, A-3, F-4, A-6, EA-6B, F-14. As I recall the S-3 did not, nor the F-8 or A-7 as I recall. The location of S/Bs on these planes did not allow it or they would likely also have been used.
The higher RPM range with "boards out" on approach gave very quick rpm changes which made glideslope control and bolters much easier because of this quick response.
The A-3 in particular would float like a kite if a little fast and you did not keep up with speed control; the boards made a big difference in power control with the J-57s. In fact the J-57 was the grandmother of the JT3 / JT8 series of low bypass fan engines, though it was a split spool, not a fan.