Grumman EA-6B Prowler "Frankenprowler"
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, often antiradar missiles such as the AGM-88 HARM. It can also be used as an electronics intelligence (Elint) aircraft.
Continually updated over its life, the EA-6B has also 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 has almost been completely replaced by the EF-18G Growler, beginning in 2009.
Known as the "Frankenprowler," this EA-6B is 158542--most of it, anyway. 158542 was originally built in 1972 and served with several Pacific Fleet ECM squadrons at NAS Whidbey Island. In 1989, it was one of three testbeds for testing the Advanced Capability (ADVCAP) upgrade; this would add new flaps, slats and ailerons for better handling at higher gross weights, two more wing hardpoints, improved engines, and a completely new "glass" cockpit. Though ADVCAP showed great promise, it was cancelled in 1995 due to budget cuts. All three ADVCAP aircraft were placed in storage.
In need of attrition replacements in 1998, the three ADVCAP aircraft were dismantled, and parts from all three were reassembled into a single EA-6B. Now dubbed "Frankenprowler," 158542 returned to service with VAQ-141 ("Shadowhawks") in 2005 and saw service over Iraq. It would end its career with Marine VMAQ-3 ("Moon Dogs") in 2015, and was donated for display to the Pima Air and Space Museum, to preserve the most unique of a unique aircraft.
"Frankenprowler" is looking a bit faded; unfortunately, I wasn't aware of its status when I took the picture, or I might have gotten its nose art into the picture (a small painting of Frankenstein is on the nose, unseen from this angle). What looks to be a faded American flag is actually the names of everyone in VMAQ-3 at the time the aircraft was retired.
Grumman EA-6B Prowler "Frankenprowler"
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, often antiradar missiles such as the AGM-88 HARM. It can also be used as an electronics intelligence (Elint) aircraft.
Continually updated over its life, the EA-6B has also 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 has almost been completely replaced by the EF-18G Growler, beginning in 2009.
Known as the "Frankenprowler," this EA-6B is 158542--most of it, anyway. 158542 was originally built in 1972 and served with several Pacific Fleet ECM squadrons at NAS Whidbey Island. In 1989, it was one of three testbeds for testing the Advanced Capability (ADVCAP) upgrade; this would add new flaps, slats and ailerons for better handling at higher gross weights, two more wing hardpoints, improved engines, and a completely new "glass" cockpit. Though ADVCAP showed great promise, it was cancelled in 1995 due to budget cuts. All three ADVCAP aircraft were placed in storage.
In need of attrition replacements in 1998, the three ADVCAP aircraft were dismantled, and parts from all three were reassembled into a single EA-6B. Now dubbed "Frankenprowler," 158542 returned to service with VAQ-141 ("Shadowhawks") in 2005 and saw service over Iraq. It would end its career with Marine VMAQ-3 ("Moon Dogs") in 2015, and was donated for display to the Pima Air and Space Museum, to preserve the most unique of a unique aircraft.
"Frankenprowler" is looking a bit faded; unfortunately, I wasn't aware of its status when I took the picture, or I might have gotten its nose art into the picture (a small painting of Frankenstein is on the nose, unseen from this angle). What looks to be a faded American flag is actually the names of everyone in VMAQ-3 at the time the aircraft was retired.