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Grumman EA-6B Prowler
The Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, four-seat, mid-wing electronic-warfare aircraft. Operated by both the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy between 1971 and 2019, it was derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe.
The aircraft's immediate predecessor, the EA-6A, was an interim conversion of the A-6 airframe to perform electronic warfare missions during the 1960s. In 1966, work on the more advanced EA-6B commenced. It featured an enlarged four-seat cockpit, a fully integrated electronic warfare system, and advanced electronic countermeasures. Furthermore, it was suitable for long-range, all-weather carrier-based operations in addition to land-based uses. Typically, the aircrew of an EA-6B consisted of a single pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers, though it was not uncommon for only two ECMOs to be used on missions. It was capable of firing anti-radiation missiles (ARMs), such as the AGM-88 HARM. Although designed as an electronic warfare and command-and-control aircraft for air strike missions, the EA-6B was also capable of attacking some surface targets on its own, in particular enemy radar sites and surface-to-air missile launchers. In addition, the EA-6B was capable of gathering electronic signals intelligence.
On 25 May 1968, the EA-6B performed its maiden flight; a total of three prototype were converted from A-6As while five EA-6Bs participated in the development program. During July 1971, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) became the first operational squadron to be equipped with the type; the EA-6B's first combat deployment took place 11 months later in the latter half of the Vietnam War. It frequently carried out electronic warfare operations, such as the jamming of enemy radar systems, as well as the gathering of radio intelligence on enemy radar and air defense systems. The EA-6B would also play an active role during the 1983 invasion of Grenada, Operation El Dorado Canyon (1986 Libya), Operation Praying Mantis (Iran 1988), and Operation Desert Storm (Iraq 1991). It would also be called on during the Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan 2001–2014) and Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq 2014) in addition to other lower intensity duties.
By the twenty-first century, efforts to eventually replace the EA-6B had been launched, such as the abortive Common Support Aircraft initiative. As a result of the type being heavily used during its lengthy service life, the EA-6B had become a relatively high-maintenance aircraft during its latter years of service. Nevertheless, it had undergone frequent equipment upgrades throughout its service life; major programmes included the Advanced Capability EA-6B and the Improved Capability (ICAP) II schemes. The type's final overseas deployment occurred in late 2014; the EA-6B was withdrawn from U.S. Navy service in June 2015 while the U.S. Marine Corps retired its last aircraft in March 2019. It has been effectively succeeded by the EA-18G Growler, an electronic warfare derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
By the 1960s, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) was operating several aging Electronic countermeasure (ECM) platforms, including the EF-10B Skyknight and AD Skyraider. The service sought to procure more modern platforms; this desire led to the development of the EA-6A "Electric Intruder". The EA-6A was a direct conversion of the standard Grumman A-6 Intruder airframe, equipped with a twin-seat cockpit along with assorted electronic warfare (EW) equipment. During December 1965, the EA-6A entered squadron service with the USMC; shortly thereafter, it saw action in Operation Rolling Thunder during the Vietnam War. A total of three USMC squadrons were equipped with the type in the conflict; a total of 27 EA-6As were produced, 15 of which were newly manufactured while the others were conversions. The majority of these EA-6As were retired from service in the 1970s; the final handful of aircraft were operated by two electronic attack "aggressor" squadrons of the United States Navy (USN). These last examples were finally retired during the 1990s. The EA-6A was essentially an interim warplane until the more-advanced EA-6B could be designed and built.
During 1966, development of the EA-6B, a substantially redesigned and more advanced model, commenced as a replacement for the EKA-3B Skywarriors then being operated by the United States Navy. The redesign included the lengthening of the forward fuselage to create a rear area that accommodated a larger four-seat cockpit while an antenna fairing was added to the tip of the vertical stabilizer. The EA-6B was powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engines, which enable it to attain high subsonic speeds. On 14 November 1966, Grumman was awarded a $12.7 million contract to develop an EA-6B prototype. On 25 May 1968, the EA-6B performed its maiden flight; it entered regular service on aircraft carriers during July 1971. Three prototype EA-6Bs were converted from A-6As, and five EA-6Bs were developmental airplanes. Between 1966 and 1991, a total of 170 EA-6B production aircraft were manufactured.
The EA-6B was continually upgraded over the years. The first such upgrade was named "expanded capability" (EXCAP) beginning in 1973. Then came "improved capability" (ICAP) in 1976 and ICAP II in 1980. The ICAP II upgrade provided the EA-6B with the capability of firing Shrike missiles and AGM-88 HARM missiles.
The Advanced Capability EA-6B Prowler (ADVCAP) was a development program initiated to improve the flying qualities of the EA-6B and to upgrade the avionics and electronic warfare systems. The intention was to modify all EA-6Bs into the ADVCAP configuration, however the program was removed from the Fiscal Year 1995 budget due to financial pressure from competing Department of Defense acquisition programs.
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Grumman EA-6B Prowler
The Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, four-seat, mid-wing electronic-warfare aircraft. Operated by both the United States Marine Corps and United States Navy between 1971 and 2019, it was derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe.
The aircraft's immediate predecessor, the EA-6A, was an interim conversion of the A-6 airframe to perform electronic warfare missions during the 1960s. In 1966, work on the more advanced EA-6B commenced. It featured an enlarged four-seat cockpit, a fully integrated electronic warfare system, and advanced electronic countermeasures. Furthermore, it was suitable for long-range, all-weather carrier-based operations in addition to land-based uses. Typically, the aircrew of an EA-6B consisted of a single pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers, though it was not uncommon for only two ECMOs to be used on missions. It was capable of firing anti-radiation missiles (ARMs), such as the AGM-88 HARM. Although designed as an electronic warfare and command-and-control aircraft for air strike missions, the EA-6B was also capable of attacking some surface targets on its own, in particular enemy radar sites and surface-to-air missile launchers. In addition, the EA-6B was capable of gathering electronic signals intelligence.
On 25 May 1968, the EA-6B performed its maiden flight; a total of three prototype were converted from A-6As while five EA-6Bs participated in the development program. During July 1971, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) became the first operational squadron to be equipped with the type; the EA-6B's first combat deployment took place 11 months later in the latter half of the Vietnam War. It frequently carried out electronic warfare operations, such as the jamming of enemy radar systems, as well as the gathering of radio intelligence on enemy radar and air defense systems. The EA-6B would also play an active role during the 1983 invasion of Grenada, Operation El Dorado Canyon (1986 Libya), Operation Praying Mantis (Iran 1988), and Operation Desert Storm (Iraq 1991). It would also be called on during the Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan 2001–2014) and Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq 2014) in addition to other lower intensity duties.
By the twenty-first century, efforts to eventually replace the EA-6B had been launched, such as the abortive Common Support Aircraft initiative. As a result of the type being heavily used during its lengthy service life, the EA-6B had become a relatively high-maintenance aircraft during its latter years of service. Nevertheless, it had undergone frequent equipment upgrades throughout its service life; major programmes included the Advanced Capability EA-6B and the Improved Capability (ICAP) II schemes. The type's final overseas deployment occurred in late 2014; the EA-6B was withdrawn from U.S. Navy service in June 2015 while the U.S. Marine Corps retired its last aircraft in March 2019. It has been effectively succeeded by the EA-18G Growler, an electronic warfare derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
By the 1960s, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) was operating several aging Electronic countermeasure (ECM) platforms, including the EF-10B Skyknight and AD Skyraider. The service sought to procure more modern platforms; this desire led to the development of the EA-6A "Electric Intruder". The EA-6A was a direct conversion of the standard Grumman A-6 Intruder airframe, equipped with a twin-seat cockpit along with assorted electronic warfare (EW) equipment. During December 1965, the EA-6A entered squadron service with the USMC; shortly thereafter, it saw action in Operation Rolling Thunder during the Vietnam War. A total of three USMC squadrons were equipped with the type in the conflict; a total of 27 EA-6As were produced, 15 of which were newly manufactured while the others were conversions. The majority of these EA-6As were retired from service in the 1970s; the final handful of aircraft were operated by two electronic attack "aggressor" squadrons of the United States Navy (USN). These last examples were finally retired during the 1990s. The EA-6A was essentially an interim warplane until the more-advanced EA-6B could be designed and built.
During 1966, development of the EA-6B, a substantially redesigned and more advanced model, commenced as a replacement for the EKA-3B Skywarriors then being operated by the United States Navy. The redesign included the lengthening of the forward fuselage to create a rear area that accommodated a larger four-seat cockpit while an antenna fairing was added to the tip of the vertical stabilizer. The EA-6B was powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engines, which enable it to attain high subsonic speeds. On 14 November 1966, Grumman was awarded a $12.7 million contract to develop an EA-6B prototype. On 25 May 1968, the EA-6B performed its maiden flight; it entered regular service on aircraft carriers during July 1971. Three prototype EA-6Bs were converted from A-6As, and five EA-6Bs were developmental airplanes. Between 1966 and 1991, a total of 170 EA-6B production aircraft were manufactured.
The EA-6B was continually upgraded over the years. The first such upgrade was named "expanded capability" (EXCAP) beginning in 1973. Then came "improved capability" (ICAP) in 1976 and ICAP II in 1980. The ICAP II upgrade provided the EA-6B with the capability of firing Shrike missiles and AGM-88 HARM missiles.
The Advanced Capability EA-6B Prowler (ADVCAP) was a development program initiated to improve the flying qualities of the EA-6B and to upgrade the avionics and electronic warfare systems. The intention was to modify all EA-6Bs into the ADVCAP configuration, however the program was removed from the Fiscal Year 1995 budget due to financial pressure from competing Department of Defense acquisition programs.