1. 1. EA-6B PROWLER, USA T A C T I C A L J A M M I N G A I R C R A F T
2. 2. INTRODUCTION The Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, mid-wing electronic warfare aircraft derived from the A-6 Intruder airframe. The mission of the aircraft is to accompany the strike forces and to carry out armed reconnaissance, electronic warfare and jamming operations. The Prowler is carried on all classes of the US Aircraft Carrier fleet: Enterprise, Nimitz, Kitty Hawk and John F Kennedy. The aircraft were to be retired and replaced by the EA-18G Growler, an electronic attack version of the F/A- 18 Super Hornet, by 2012. Their service has, however, been extended beyond 2014.
3. 3. ENGINE The aircraft has two Pratt & Whitney J-52 -P-408 turbojet engines each rated at 50kN. The aircraft carries a maximum internal fuel supply of 7,000kg and can also carry an extra 4,500kg externally in fuel pods. The unrefuelled range of the aircraft on internal fuel is 1,800km (1,000nm). For in flight refuelling, a refuelling probe is fitted in front of the cockpit. The aircraft cruises at 775km/h and the maximum altitude is 12,550m.
4. 4. INCREASED CAPABILITY (ICAP) III In 1998 Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract by the US Navy to carry out a major upgrade programme known as ICAP III (Increased Capability III) to further enhance the weapon system, including the addition of a new AN/ALQ-218 electronic warfare receiver and LR700 with selective reactive jamming capability to counter frequency- hopping intercept radars, Link 16 datalink and an integrated communications jamming system. The ICAP III-equipped Prowler made its first flight in November 2001 and entered low-rate initial production (LRIP) in August 2003.
5. 5. WEAPONS The Prowler is armed with the Raytheon HARM high-speed anti-radiation missile, AGM-88. The HARM missile is used against land-based and seaborne radar-directed air defence artillery systems and surface-to-air missile systems. HARM has a range of over 90km (80 miles). USMC Prowlers are fitted with the Northrop Grumman Litening AT targeting pod, for deployment in Iraq.
6. 6. REFERENCES http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/prowler/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_EA-6B_Prowler http://www.marines.com/operating-forces/equipment/aircraft/ea-6b-prowler http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ea-6.htm
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