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New page: The '''EA-6B Prowler''' is an electronic warfare version of the A-6 Intruder. It was first delivered to the Navy in 1971. thumb|An EA-6B over Key West. ==Design=...
The '''EA-6B Prowler''' is an electronic warfare version of the [[A-6 Intruder]]. It was first delivered to the Navy in 1971. [[Image:EA-6 3.jpg|thumb|An EA-6B over Key West.]]
==Design==
In the 1950s, there was an increasing need for [[aircraft]] which could detect and jam enemy [[radar]], jam enemy missiles, locate targets, and directly attack aircraft towards them. The aircraft which could to this was invaluable; however, the right airframe was a difficult problem.
In 1956, the [[United States Navy]] ordered the [[A-6 Intruder]], which entered service in 1963. The Navy was so pleased with the all-weather attack aircraft that it ordered an electronic countermeasures version in 1963. A prototype version of the EA-6A was flown in 1963, and the [[Marine Corps]] ordered 27 of these airplanes. The first version was little more than a modified A-6 with radar equipment and two extra seats.
Grumman developed a newer, better version in 1971--the EA-6B. When the aircraft first entered service in 1971, it was the most advanced ECM (electronic counter-measures) aircraft in the world. It was equipped with ten radar jammers and other high-tech electronic weapons, operated by the three radar officers.
==Service==
In the Gulf Wars and [[Afghanistan]], the EA-6B performed well, jamming many Iraqi radar stations to let in strike aircraft undetected. In Afghanistan, there are records of EA-6Bs jamming [[IED]] radio links.
The EA-6B, still in service, will be eventually replaced by the [[EA-18 Growler]].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''Function'''
| ECM aircraft
|-
| '''Contractor'''
| Grumman
|-
| '''Power plant'''
|Two 11,200 pound Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbofans
|-
| '''Length'''
|59 feet
|-
| '''Height'''
| 16 feet, 2 inches
|-
| '''Speed'''
| 650 miles per hour
|-
|-
| '''Wingspan'''
| 53 feet
|-
| '''Empty weight'''
| 32,162 pounds
|-
|'''Maximum Weight'''
|65,000 pounds
|-
| '''Crew'''
| Four
|-
|'''Range'''
|Unrefueled 2,399 miles (with drop tanks)
|}
[[Image:EA-6_landing.jpg|thumb|An EA-6B comes in for landing. Note the ECM jammer pods under the wings. ]]
[[Category: Aircraft]]
==Design==
In the 1950s, there was an increasing need for [[aircraft]] which could detect and jam enemy [[radar]], jam enemy missiles, locate targets, and directly attack aircraft towards them. The aircraft which could to this was invaluable; however, the right airframe was a difficult problem.
In 1956, the [[United States Navy]] ordered the [[A-6 Intruder]], which entered service in 1963. The Navy was so pleased with the all-weather attack aircraft that it ordered an electronic countermeasures version in 1963. A prototype version of the EA-6A was flown in 1963, and the [[Marine Corps]] ordered 27 of these airplanes. The first version was little more than a modified A-6 with radar equipment and two extra seats.
Grumman developed a newer, better version in 1971--the EA-6B. When the aircraft first entered service in 1971, it was the most advanced ECM (electronic counter-measures) aircraft in the world. It was equipped with ten radar jammers and other high-tech electronic weapons, operated by the three radar officers.
==Service==
In the Gulf Wars and [[Afghanistan]], the EA-6B performed well, jamming many Iraqi radar stations to let in strike aircraft undetected. In Afghanistan, there are records of EA-6Bs jamming [[IED]] radio links.
The EA-6B, still in service, will be eventually replaced by the [[EA-18 Growler]].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| '''Function'''
| ECM aircraft
|-
| '''Contractor'''
| Grumman
|-
| '''Power plant'''
|Two 11,200 pound Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbofans
|-
| '''Length'''
|59 feet
|-
| '''Height'''
| 16 feet, 2 inches
|-
| '''Speed'''
| 650 miles per hour
|-
|-
| '''Wingspan'''
| 53 feet
|-
| '''Empty weight'''
| 32,162 pounds
|-
|'''Maximum Weight'''
|65,000 pounds
|-
| '''Crew'''
| Four
|-
|'''Range'''
|Unrefueled 2,399 miles (with drop tanks)
|}
[[Image:EA-6_landing.jpg|thumb|An EA-6B comes in for landing. Note the ECM jammer pods under the wings. ]]
[[Category: Aircraft]]