The EA6B Prowler is an aircraft that was originally manufactured by Grumman (now known as Northrop Grumman) as a modified version of the basic A6 Intruder airframe.

The Advanced Capabilities of the EA6B

This plane started off as a development program that was initiated for improving the flying qualities, electronic warfare systems, and avionics of the EA6B. Their main aim was the modification of all the EA6B's into ADVCAP configuration. But, this program was taken off from the fiscal budget of 1995 as there was a lot of financial pressure from the Department of Defense acquisition programs.

ADVCAP development programs were started in the late eighties and had three separate phases. These were Full scale Development (FSD), Vehicle Enhancement Program (VEP) and Avionics Improvement Program (AIP). The primary function of the FSD was to evaluate a new AN/ALQ149 electronic warfare system. This program involved the use of a modified EA6B for housing the system.

VEP added a lot to the aircraft which fixed problems that were found in flying quality of the original EA6B. The biggest problems were related to lateral direction which endangered recovery from out of control. These changes included:

- New Flight Control System. Automated and digital based.
- New J52p409 engines which helped increase torque by 2,000 lbs. per engine.
- A couple of additional wing stations located on the outer wings panel designed only to hold jamming pods.
- Re-contoured trailing edge flaps and leading edge slats.
- Ailerons which improved lateral control at slow speeds.
- Fin pod extensions that were to help with directional stability.
- Leading edge strakes.

These added improvements increased the gross weight of the aircraft by approx. 900 kg (2,000 lbs) and moved the center of gravity three percent MAC aft from the base model of the EA6B. When flying at high angles for a sustained period of time, fuel migration would lead to extra shifts in CG which resulted in the aircraft getting a slightly negative longitudinal stability. Results of tests with the new additions showed improved flying capabilities and the negative change of the CG too had minimal impact.

The AIP prototype was the final configuration which incorporated everything from the VEP and FSD modifications as well as a new avionics suite that gave multi function displays for every crew position. The pilot got a heads-up display as well as dual global positioning inertial navigation systems.

The primary testing that was conducted by the US Navy pilots along with the contractor was successful and had few hiccups. After cancellation of the program, the three Prowlers that were designed for the testing were mothballed till 1999. Over the years, these aircrafts were dismantled & reassembled to create one single aircraft which was called the Franken Prowler by the Navy. This plane was placed in active service on 23rd of March 2005.