The Grumman EA-6B Prowler is an electronic attack/countermeasures aircraft derived from the Grumman A-6 Intruder. It is currently being replaced by the new Boeing EA-18G Growler. Development on the more advanced EA-6B began in 1966. Crew consists of one pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers.
The EA-6B was designed for carrier-based and land-based operations with a fully integrated electronic warfare system combining long-range, all-weather capabilities with advanced electronic countermeasures.
A forward equipment bay and pod-shaped fairing on the vertical fin house the additional avionics equipment. It was the primary electronic warfare aircraft for the U.S Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The EA-6B's primary mission is to support ground-attack strikes by disrupting enemy electromagnetic activity. As a secondary mission it can also gather tactical electronic intelligence within a combat zone, as well as attacking enemy radar sites with anti-radiation missiles.
The Prowler has a crew of four, a pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers (known as ECMOs). Powered by two non-afterburning Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408A turbojet engines, it is capable of speeds of up to 590 mph (950 km/h) with a range of 1,140 miles (1,840 km).
The Prowler exhibits an asymmetrical refueling probe, bent slightly to the right and away from the pilot's line of sight. The canopy has a gold shading to protect the crew against the radio emissions that the electronic warfare equipment produces.
- Country of Origin:
USA
- First Flight:
25 May 1968
- Initial Service Date:
- No. Built:
170
- No. In Service:
0
- No. of Hardpoints:
0
- Crew:
4