Grumman EA-6B Prowler
The Grumman EA-6B Prowler was developed primarily to replace older electronic warfare aircraft in US Navy service, namely the EKA-3B Skywarrior, as well as a response to the growing lethality of Eastern Bloc electronic threats. Initially, the ALQ-99 electronics suite was installed in a standard A-6 Intruder airframe as the EA-6A, but the aircraft was somewhat limited and workload was heavier for a two-man crew, especially in combat. EA-6As did see combat in Vietnam with the US Marine Corps, but something better was clearly needed. The result was the lengthened EA-6B Prowler, which upgraded the electronics suite considerably and also added two more crewmembers to reduce workload and increase effectiveness. The EA-6B first flew in May 1968, and entered US Navy and Marine service in 1971.
The ALQ-99 system is divided between several antennae on the aircraft, including the distinctive “football” antenna at the top of the tail. Most of the noise jammers are in the three or five underwing pods the Prowler almost always carries, though in the case of a three-pod arrangement, it can carry antiradar missiles such as the AGM-88 HARM.
Continually updated over its life, the EA-6B has seen action in both Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo; in service over the Middle East, the Prowler has proven effective in jamming IED detonation signals. With the retirement of the USAF’s EF-111 Ravens, the EA-6B was the sole ECM aircraft in US service, further contributing to the overwork of the aircraft, and has often been the only ECM aircraft available in NATO operations as well. The last of the A-6 family in service, the Prowler is gradually being replaced by the EF-18G Growler.
This EA-6B belonged to VMAQ-2 ("Playboys"), assigned to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. It carries the pre-subdued color scheme of light gray over white of the Vietnam and 1970s era, along with full-color tail colors, which are extended to the cockpit area.
Grumman EA-6B Prowler
The Grumman EA-6B Prowler was developed primarily to replace older electronic warfare aircraft in US Navy service, namely the EKA-3B Skywarrior, as well as a response to the growing lethality of Eastern Bloc electronic threats. Initially, the ALQ-99 electronics suite was installed in a standard A-6 Intruder airframe as the EA-6A, but the aircraft was somewhat limited and workload was heavier for a two-man crew, especially in combat. EA-6As did see combat in Vietnam with the US Marine Corps, but something better was clearly needed. The result was the lengthened EA-6B Prowler, which upgraded the electronics suite considerably and also added two more crewmembers to reduce workload and increase effectiveness. The EA-6B first flew in May 1968, and entered US Navy and Marine service in 1971.
The ALQ-99 system is divided between several antennae on the aircraft, including the distinctive “football” antenna at the top of the tail. Most of the noise jammers are in the three or five underwing pods the Prowler almost always carries, though in the case of a three-pod arrangement, it can carry antiradar missiles such as the AGM-88 HARM.
Continually updated over its life, the EA-6B has seen action in both Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo; in service over the Middle East, the Prowler has proven effective in jamming IED detonation signals. With the retirement of the USAF’s EF-111 Ravens, the EA-6B was the sole ECM aircraft in US service, further contributing to the overwork of the aircraft, and has often been the only ECM aircraft available in NATO operations as well. The last of the A-6 family in service, the Prowler is gradually being replaced by the EF-18G Growler.
This EA-6B belonged to VMAQ-2 ("Playboys"), assigned to MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. It carries the pre-subdued color scheme of light gray over white of the Vietnam and 1970s era, along with full-color tail colors, which are extended to the cockpit area.