EA-6 Prowler

The EA-6B Prowler is the United States Navy's and the United States Marine Corps's primary electronic warfare aircraft. The primary mission of the aircraft is to support strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic intelligence within a combat area.

The EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, mid-wing aircraft manufactured by Northrop Grumman Aerospace Corporation as a modification of the basic A-6 Intruder air frame. Designed for carrier and advanced base operations, the Prowler is a fully integrated electronic warfare system combining long-range, all-weather capabilities with advanced electronic countermeasures. A forward equipment bay, and pod-shaped faring on the vertical fin, house the additional avionics equipment. The side-by-side cockpit arrangement gives maximum efficiency, visibility and comfort.

General Characteristics

• Primary Function: Electronic countermeasures
• Contractor: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Corporation
• Propulsion: Two Pratt & Whitney J52-P408 engines (10,400 pounds thrust each)
• Length: 59 feet 10 inches (17.7 meters)
• Wingspan: 53 feet (15.9 meters)
• Height: 16 feet 8 inches (4.9 meters)
• Weight: 61,500 pounds (27,450 kg) max gross take-off
• Speed: Over 500 knots (575 mph, 920 kmh)
• Range: Over 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 miles, 1,840 km)
• Ceiling: 37,600 feet
• Crew: Four: pilot and three electronic countermeasures officers
• Armament: AGM-88B or C HARM missiless
• Date Deployed: First flight, May 25, 1968; Operational, July 1971