US Department of Defense: EA-6B Prowler Aircraft 

The EA-6B Prowler is an electronic warfare aircraft used by the US Navy and Marine Corps.  It jams various frequencies in a sophisticated enough manner to interfere with enemy radar, as well as any electronic data transfer or communication efforts.  This tool is used to protect troops, ships, and aircrafts within a certain distance of the EA-6B aircraft.  The Prowler is the real life version of any fancy gadgets you’ve seen in spy movies, and the number and the locations of these planes are classified.  While other countries may take a similar approach to preparing for and monitoring combat, no one else has an aircraft as sophisticated as the EA-6B Prowler. 

EA-6B Aircraft Features 

Developed and manufactured at the Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation in Southern California, the Prowler is an incredibly advanced aircraft designed to withstand all weather conditions while providing long-range enemy countermeasures.  The dual-engine aircraft has side-by-side cockpits loaded up with highly capable electronics.  There is an on-board receiver and corresponding ALQ-99 electronics jamming system.  This allows the crew to download data being sent from one enemy camp to another.  In some cases, they may wish to prevent the data transfer completely, which is when the jamming device comes into play.  Communication jamming capability is delivered by a USQ-133 system.  While the aircraft is not often near the front lines of combat, an extra level of defense is provided by a HARM missile deployment system just as a precaution.  These planes are more expensive than most due to all the electronics on board, so they require a great deal of protection. 

While the current EA-6B Prowler does an excellent job of suppressing enemy activity, the research and development for several improvements are ongoing.  The Improved Capability, or ICAP III, upgrades the on-board receiver to more accurately locate threats and selectively jam each individual communication emitter in the area.  On the other hand, the Multifunctional Information Distribution System, or MIDS, provides a better Link 16 for fast receiving and downloading of tactical data.  With these two upgrades, the next iteration of the Prowler should be more reliable and have noticeably improved systems connectivity.  The sooner the new design can be tested and put into production, the better our Navy officers and marines will be able to protect the interests of our country. 

Dimensions, Facts & Figures 

The EA-6B Prowler is meant to provide support for offensive aircraft during strikes as well as engaged ground troops.  The instruments on the aircraft can disrupt enemy communications, but also obtain intelligence without the enemy noticing.  The first Prowler test flight was performed in May of 1968.  A few final touches were put into place and the aircraft design was approved for field operations in the summer of 1971.  The plane is just shy of 60 feet long and 17 feet tall with a wingspan of 53 feet. 

While the electronic countermeasures are the focus of the Prowler, the plane also has to fly quickly and quietly.  Two Pratt & Whitney engines (model J52-P408) provide the aircraft propulsion, with a thrust capability of 10,400 pounds each.  The aircraft weighs 61,500 pounds and can reach an airspeed of 575 miles per hour, with a flight ceiling of 37,600 feet. 

The aircraft has enough fuel capacity to give it a 1,000 nautical mile range, and requires a four man crew – one pilot and three officers to manage the enemy countermeasure electronics on board.  If the team is any smaller, not all of the electronics can be utilized at once.  Those on board are kept in constant radio communication with ground control who can help monitor the radar for missiles and other planes.