| EA-6B Prowler | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Grumman EA-6B Prowler in flight | |
| General information | |
| Type | Electronic warfare/Attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Grumman Northrop Grumman |
| Status | Retired[1] |
| Primary users | United States Navy (historical) United States Marine Corps (historical) |
| Number built | 170[2] |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1966-1991 |
| Introduction date | July 1971 |
| First flight | 25 May 1968[3] |
| Retired | 2015 (USN) March 2019 (USMC) |
| Developed from | Grumman A-6 Intruder |
TheNorthrop Grumman (formerlyGrumman)EA-6B Prowler is atwin-engine, four-seat, mid-wingelectronic-warfare aircraft. Operated by both theUnited States Marine Corps andUnited States Navy between 1971 and 2019, it was derived from theA-6 Intruder airframe.
The aircraft's immediate predecessor, theEA-6A, was an interim conversion of the A-6 airframe to performelectronic warfare missions during the 1960s. In 1966, work on the more advanced EA-6B commenced. It featured an enlarged four-seat cockpit, a fully integratedelectronic warfare system, and advancedelectronic countermeasures. Furthermore, it was suitable for long-range, all-weathercarrier-based operations in addition to land-based uses. Typically, the aircrew of an EA-6B consisted of a single pilot and threeElectronic Countermeasures Officers,[4] though it was not uncommon for only two ECMOs to be used on missions. It was capable of firinganti-radiation missiles (ARMs), such as theAGM-88 HARM.[5] Although designed as an electronic warfare and command-and-control aircraft forair strike missions, the EA-6B was also capable of attacking some surface targets on its own, in particular enemyradar sites andsurface-to-air missile launchers. In addition, the EA-6B was capable of gatheringelectronic signals intelligence.
On 25 May 1968, the EA-6B performed itsmaiden flight; a total of three prototype were converted from A-6As while five EA-6Bs participated in the development programme. 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 theVietnam War. It frequently carried out electronic warfare operations, such as the jamming of enemyradar systems, as well as the gathering of radio intelligence on enemy radar andair defense systems. The EA-6B would also play an active role during the 1983invasion of Grenada,Operation El Dorado Canyon (1986 Libya),Operation Praying Mantis (Iran 1988), andOperation Desert Storm (Iraq 1991). It would also be called on during theOperation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan 2001–2014) andOperation 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 abortiveCommon 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;[2] 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 theEA-18G Growler, anelectronic warfare derivative of theF/A-18F Super Hornet.
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By the 1960s, theUnited States Marine Corps (USMC) was operating several agingElectronic countermeasure (ECM) platforms, including theEF-10B Skyknight andAD Skyraider. The service sought to procure more modern platforms; this desire led to the development of the EA-6A "Electric Intruder".[5] The EA-6A was a direct conversion of the standardGrumman A-6 Intruder airframe, equipped with a twin-seat cockpit along with assortedelectronic warfare (EW) equipment. During December 1965, the EA-6A enteredsquadron service with the USMC; shortly thereafter, it saw action inOperation Rolling Thunder during theVietnam War.[5] 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.[6] 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 theUnited States Navy (USN). These last examples were finally retired during the 1990s.[7] The EA-6A was essentially an interimwarplane 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 theEKA-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 thevertical stabilizer.[6] The EA-6B was powered by a pair ofPratt & Whitney J52turbojet engines, which enable it to attain high subsonic speeds.[8] On 14 November 1966, Grumman was awarded a $12.7 million contract to develop an EA-6B prototype.[9] On 25 May 1968, the EA-6B performed itsmaiden flight;[10] it entered regular service onaircraft carriers during July 1971.[11] 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.[7]
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 firingShrike missiles andAGM-88 HARM missiles.[7]
TheAdvanced Capability EA-6B Prowler (ADVCAP) was a development program initiated to improve the flying qualities of the EA-6B and to upgrade theavionics andelectronic 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 competingDepartment of Defense acquisition programs.
The ADVCAP development program was initiated in the late 1980s and was broken into three distinct phases: Full-Scale Development (FSD), Vehicle Enhancement Program (VEP) and the Avionics Improvement Program (AIP).
FSD served primarily to evaluate the new AN/ALQ-149 Electronic Warfare System. The program utilized a slightly modified EA-6B to house the new system.
The VEP added numerous changes to the aircraft to address deficiencies with the original EA-6B flying qualities, particularly lateral-directional problems that hampered recovery from out-of-control flight. Bureau Number 158542 was used. Changes included:
The added modifications increased the aircraft gross weight approximately 2,000 lb (910 kg) and shifted the center of gravity 3% MAC aft of the baseline EA-6B. In previous models, when operating at sustained highangles of attack, fuel migration would cause additional shifts in CG with the result that the aircraft had slightly negative longitudinal static stability. Results of flight tests of the new configuration showed greatly improved flying qualities and the rearward shift of the CG had minimal impact.
The AIP prototype (bureau number 158547) represented the final ADVCAP configuration, incorporating all of the FSD and VEP modifications plus a completely new avionics suite which added multi-function displays to all crew positions, ahead-up display for the pilot, and dualGlobal Positioning/Inertial navigation systems. The initial joint test phase between the contractor and the US Navy test pilots completed successfully with few deficiencies.
After the program was canceled, the three experimental Prowlers, BuNo 156482, 158542 and 158547, were mothballed until 1999. Over the next several years, the three aircraft were dismantled and reassembled to create a single aircraft, b/n 158542, which the Navy dubbed "FrankenProwler". It was returned to active service on 23 March 2005.[12]
Northrop Grumman received contracts from the United States Navy to deliver new electronic countermeasures gear to Prowler squadrons; the heart of each ICAP III set consists of the ALQ-218 receiver and new software that provides more precise selective-reactiveradar jamming and deception and threat location. The ICAP III sets also are equipped with the Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS), which includes theLink 16 data link system. Northrop delivered two lots and delivered two more beginning in 2010.[13] The EA-6B Prowlers in service toward the end of its life were the ICAP III version, carrying the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System.
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Designed forcarrier-based and advanced base operations, the EA-6B was a fully integratedelectronic warfare system combining long-range, all-weather capabilities with advancedelectronic countermeasures.[14] A forward equipment bay and pod-shaped fairing on the vertical fin housed the additional avionics equipment.[15] It was the primary electronic warfare aircraft for the U.S Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The EA-6B's primary mission was to support ground-attack strikes by disrupting enemyelectromagnetic activity.[16] As a secondary mission it could also gather tacticalelectronic intelligence within a combat zone, and another secondary mission was attacking enemy radar sites with anti-radiation missiles.
The Prowler was operated by a crew of four, a pilot and threeElectronic Countermeasures Officers (known as ECMOs).[4][2] The two ECMOs in the rear cockpit operated the Prowler's primary jamming equipment, while the ECMO in the front right seat handled navigation, communications, and defensive electronic countermeasures.[17] Powered by two non-afterburningPratt & Whitney J52-P-408Aturbojet engines, it was capable of speeds of over 500 knots (580 mph; 930 km/h), with a range of over 1,000 nautical miles (1,200 miles; 1,900 kilometres).[18][19][20]
Design particulars included the refueling probe being asymmetrical, appearing bent to the right to improve pilot visibility over that of the A-6 Intruder.[21] It contained an antenna near its root. The canopy had a shading of gold to protect the crew against the radio emissions that the electronic warfare equipment produces.[22]
In September 1970, the EA-6B entered service with Fleet Replacement SquadronVAQ-129; ten months later, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) became the first operational squadron to be equipped with the type. during June 1972, VAQ-132 began its first combat deployment to Vietnam onAmerica; it was promptly followed by VAQ-131 onEnterprise and VAQ-134 onConstellation.[23] Two squadrons of Prowlers flew 720 sorties during the Vietnam War in support of US Navy attack aircraft as well as theBoeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers of theUnited States Air Force; typically, they would suppress enemy air defenses just prior to the attack/bomber aircraft deploying their own payloads.[24]
During the 1983invasion of Grenada, four Prowlers supported the operation fromUSS Independence (CV-62).[25][26] Two years later, in response to theAchille Lauro hijacking, Prowlers fromUSS Saratoga (CV-60) provided ESM support during the interception of the EgyptAir 737 carrying four of the hijackers on 10 October 1985.[27]
Prowlers jammed Libyan radar and air defenses duringOperation El Dorado Canyon in April 1986.[28] Similarly, Prowlers from VAQ-135 onUSS Enterprise (CVN-65) jammed Iranian Ground Control Intercept radars, surface-to-air missile guidance radars and communication systems duringOperation Praying Mantis on 18 April 1988.[27][29]
During 1991, a total of 39 EA-6Bs were involved inOperation Desert Storm; 27 were based on six aircraft carriers while 12 from USMC shore bases. During 4,600 flight hours, Prowlers fired over 150AGM-88 HARM missiles, the majority of which were targeted at radars and communications nodes across Iraqi's integrated air defense system. In total, U.S. Navy Prowlers flew 1,132 sorties while USMC EA-6Bs flew 516 sorties; no losses were incurred.[27][30]
Following the retirement of theEF-111 Raven in 1998, the EA-6B was the only dedicated aerial radar jammer aircraft of theUnited States Armed Forces, until the fielding of the Navy'sEA-18G Growler in 2009.[citation needed] The EA-6B was flown in almost all American combat operations from 1972 until its retirement in 2019, and was frequently flown in support of missions undertaken by the United States Air Force.[citation needed]
In 2001, 124 Prowlers remained, divided between twelve Navy, four Marine, and four joint Navy-Air Force "Expeditionary" squadrons. AJoint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) staff study recommended that the EF-111 Raven be retired to reduce the types of aircraft dedicated to the same mission, which led to anOffice of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) program memorandum to establish 4 land based "expeditionary" Prowler squadrons to meet the needs of the Air Force.[31] Between 2004 and 2014, the U.S. Air Force augmented Navy Prowler units with Electronic Warfare Officers from the 388th and 390th Electronic Combat Squadrons assigned to the366th Operations Group atMountain Home AFB,Idaho.[32]
In 2007, it was reported that the Prowler had been used in counterimprovised explosive device operations in theconflict in Afghanistan for several years by jamming remote detonation devices such as garage door openers or cellular telephones.[33] Two Prowler squadrons were also based in Iraq, working with the same mission.[34] According toChuck Pfarrer in his bookSEAL Target Geronimo, an EA-6B was also used to jam Pakistani radar and assist the 2MH-60 Black Hawk stealth helicopters and 2 Chinook helicopters raiding Osama Bin Laden's compound inOperation Neptune Spear.[35]
During June 2014,VMAQ-3 began flying Prowler missions againstIslamic State militants over Iraq. Two months later,Operation Inherent Resolve began andVMAQ-4 took over. The Prowlers were the first Marine Corps aircraft in Syria, where they were involved in strike packages, air drops, and electronic warfare requirements against militants. By January 2015, the five aircraft of VMAQ-4 had flown 800 hours during 110 sorties in support of operations in both countries, including supportingcoalition airstrikes and providing EW support forIraqi Army forces to degrade enemy systems. Marine Prowlers had not dropped munitions themselves and host nations basing them have not been revealed.[36][37]
Though once considered being replaced byCommon Support Aircraft, that plan failed to materialize. In 2009, the Navy EA-6B Prowler community began transitioning to theEA-18G Growler, aelectronic warfare derivative of theF/A-18F Super Hornet. All but one of the active duty Navy EA-6B squadrons were based atNaval Air Station Whidbey Island. VAQ-136 was stationed atNaval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, as part ofCarrier Air Wing 5, the forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) air wing that embarks aboard the Japan-basedGeorge Washington. VAQ-209, theNavy Reserve's sole EA-6B squadron, was stationed atNaval Air Facility Washington, Maryland. All Marine Corps EA-6B squadrons were located atMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolina.
During 2013, the USN planned to fly the EA-6B until 2015 while the USMC expected to phase out the Prowler in March 2019.[38][39] The last Navy deployment was onGeorge H.W. Bush in November 2014, with VAQ-134.[40][41] The USN's last operational flight took place on 27 May 2015.[42] NAS Whidbey held a retirement commemoration for the EA-6B from 25 to 27 June 2015 of the EA-6B[43] culminating on the last day with the Navy's last operational EA-6B Prowler, bureau number 163890, taking off from NAS Whidbey Island.[44]
In April 2016, a squadron of EA-6B Prowlers from Marine Corps Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (VMAQ-4), based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, was deployed toIncirlik Air Base, Turkey for operations over Syria. U.S. European Command confirmed that the deployment was expected to last through September 2016. TheCenter for Strategic and International Studies suggested that the Prowlers may be used to prevent Russian and Syrian air defense systems from tracking U.S. and coalition aircraft.[45]
During November 2018, Prowlers ofVMAQ-2 completed their last operational deployment toAl Udeid Air Base,Qatar. The squadron, being the last equipped with the EA-6B, was disbanded on 8 March 2019, after which its remaining pair of Prowlers were reallocated to museums.[46]
The Marine Corps' four members of VAMQ-2 flew the last EA-6B on its final flight on 14 March 2019 from their station atCherry Point, North Carolina, to theSteven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.[47]
The EA-6B Prowler was operated by the U.S. Armed Forces with squadrons in theU.S. Marine Corps andNavy.
VMAQ squadrons operated the EA-6B Prowler.[48] Each of the three squadrons operated five aircraft; the squadrons were land-based, although they were capable of operating aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and did so in the past.[49][50]
In 2013, VMAQ-1 converted from an active to a training squadron as the USN stopped training on the Prowler and switched over to the Growler. The Marine Training squadron first received students for training in October 2013 and produced its first training flights in April 2014.[51]
| Squadron Name | Insignia | Nickname | Dates operated | Senior Command | Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Banshees | 1992–2016 | |||
 | Playboys | 1977-2019 | MCAS Cherry Point, NC[53] | ||
 | Moon Dogs | 1992–2018 | MCAS Cherry Point, NC[54] | ||
 | Seahawks | 1981–2017 | MCAS Cherry Point, NC[55] |
In 2008, the USMC investigated an electronic attack role for theLockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II to replace their Prowlers.[56] The Marines began retiring the EA-6 in 2016 and replaced them with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Electronic Warfare (MAGTF-EW) concept, which calls for a medium to high-altitude long-enduranceunmanned aerial vehicle to off-load at least some of the electronic warfare mission.[57]
In November 2018, VMAQ-2 returned from performing the final deployed operations of USMC Prowlers. The Marines retired the aircraft on 8 March 2019, with some placed in storage and on static display at theSmithsonian InstitutionSteven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of theNational Air and Space Museum inChantilly, Virginia and theFrontiers of Flight Museum atDallas Love Field.[58][59]
While in U.S. Navy service four EA-6B Prowlers were typically assigned to a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron. These Navy Electronic Attack squadrons carried the letters VAQ (V-fixed wing, A-attack, Q-electronic); most of these squadrons werecarrier-based, while others were "expeditionary" and deployed to overseas land bases.[14]
| Squadron Name | Insignia | Nickname | Dates Operated | Carrier air wing | Station | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAQ-129 |  | Vikings | 1971–2015 | Fleet Replacement Squadron | NAS Whidbey Island[60] | Trained both Marine, Air Force, and Navy crews in the EA-6B and theEA-18G |
| VAQ-130 |  | Zappers | 1975–2011 | CVW-3 | NAS Whidbey Island[61] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-131 |  | Lancers | 1971–2015 | CVW-2 | NAS Whidbey Island[62] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-132 |  | Scorpions | 1971–2009 | CVW-17 | NAS Whidbey Island[63] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-133 |  | Wizards | 1971–2014 | CVW-9 | NAS Whidbey Island[64] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-134 |  | Garudas | 1972–2015 | CVW-8 | NAS Whidbey Island[65] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G.[66] |
| VAQ-135 |  | Black Ravens | 1973–2010 | NAS Whidbey Island[67] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G | |
| VAQ-136 |  | Gauntlets | 1973–2012 | NAS Whidbey Island[68] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G | |
| VAQ-137 |  | Rooks | 1973–2012 | CVW-1 | NAS Whidbey Island[69] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-138 |  | Yellow Jackets | 1976–2009 | N/A[70] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G | |
| VAQ-139 |  | Cougars | 1983–2011 | CVW-17 | NAS Whidbey Island[71] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-140 |  | Patriots | 1985–2014 | CVW-7 | NAS Whidbey Island[72] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-141 |  | Shadowhawks | 1987–2009 | CVW-5 | Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi[73] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-142 |  | Gray Wolves | 1997–2015 | CVW-11 | NAS Whidbey Island[74] | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
| VAQ-209 |  | Star Warriors | 1977–2013 | ReserveTactical Support Wing | NAS Whidbey Island | EA-6B replaced by EA-18G |
VAQ-128: Established as an expeditionary squadron in October 1997, utilizing the insignia and heritage of the formerA-6 Intruder Fleet Replacement Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island. Disestablished in September 2004 due to budget reductions.
VAQ-309: Established as a Naval Air Reserve Force squadron at NAS Whidbey Island in 1979 with EA-6A aircraft, transitioning to the EA-6B in 1989 as part of Carrier Air Wing Reserve THIRTY (CVWR-30). Disestablished on 31 Dec 1994 following the decommissioning of CVWR-30 due to budget cuts; aircraft returned to the Regular Navy.
While no Prowler was ever lost during combat operations, nearly fifty of the 170 aircraft built were destroyed in various accidents as of 2013.[75] In 1998, a memorial atNaval Air Station Whidbey Island was dedicated to 44 crew members lost in EA-6B aircraft accidents.[76]
Data from US Navy Fact File,[14] US Navy history page[49]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Avionics
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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