Grumman EA-6B Prowler

The Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engined, 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 having only two ECMOs on missions was not uncommon. 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; 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 also played an active role during the 1983 invasion of Grenada, Operation El Dorado Canyon (1986 Libya), Operation Pr

Summary from Wikipedia, photo via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA.