Description

The EA-6B Prowler is a long-range, all-weather aircraft with advanced electronic countermeasures capability. It is a twin-engine, mid-wing configured aircraft that has a side-by-side cockpit arrangement. The EA-6B weapons systems include the ALQ-218 receiver, ALQ-99 tactical jamming pod, USQ-113 communications jammer and AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). The Marine Corps will fly the aircraft until its’ 2019 sundown. The Navy completed its transition to the EA-18G Growler in 2015.

Mission

The EA-6B’s primary mission is to ensure survivability of U.S. and coalition forces through the identification and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses in support of strike aircraft, ground troops and ships. It does this by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within the combat area. Navy and Marine Corps EA-6Bs have supported U.S. and coalition forces worldwide since 1971.

Specifications

Crew: One pilot and three electronic countermeasures offiers
Date Deployed: First Flight: 25 May 1968; Operational Capability: July 1971
Propulsion: Two Pratt & Whitney J52-P408 engines (10,400 pounds thrust each)
Length: 59 feet 10 inches (17.7 meters)
Height: 16 feet 8 inches (4.9 meters)
Wingspan: 53 feet (15.9 meters)
Max. take-off weight: 61,500 pounds (27,450 kg)
Airspeed: 500 Kts + (575 mph, 920 kmh)
Ceiling: 40,000 feet
Range: 1,000 nautical miles+ (1,150 miles, 1,840 km)
Prime Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Service: Marine Corps