[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

The "Blinder" Soviet aircraft - Tu-22 or Tu-22M??

No sir, not in the literal sense. Good try though, as there was Blinder variant meant for that role.

It's a western aircraft derived from a very successful attack aircraft that took part in every conflict from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War and was purpose built for that role. They did all the dirty work and once they turned on their 'Music', the enemy went blind and possibly becomes deaf & dumb.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

No sir, not in the literal sense. Good try though, as there was Blinder variant meant for that role.

It's a western aircraft derived from a very successful attack aircraft that took part in every conflict from the Vietnam War to the Gulf War and was purpose built for that role. They did all the dirty work and once they turned on their 'Music', the enemy went blind and possibly becomes deaf & dumb.

Hmmmm!!! Grumman EA-6B Prowler? or the F-4 variant Wild Weasel? EF-111A Raven?

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Hmmmm!!! Grumman EA-6B Prowler? or the F-4 variant Wild Weasel? EF-111A Raven?

Bingo Sir! Prowler it is.

[skanchan95]

1:72 Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler Bu No. 163046/AG500, VAQ-140 "Patriots" United States Navy, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, Operation Enduring Freedom, 2006(JC Wings)

Developed from the EA-6A Electronic Intruder and operated by the US Navy & US Marine Corps, the EA-6B Prowler was a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft that was first flown on May 25th, 1968. The Prowler was a key element of any US Navy or US Marine Corps strike-force that disrupted and jammed enemy radio and radar signals, provided protection for attacking aircraft as they carried out their mission. The Prowler could also be armed with AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles that were designed to home-in on enemy radar installations and neutralize surface-to-air missile threats. After a long history with the EA-6B, the US Navy began transitioning to the Boeing E/A-18G Growler in 2009.

The Prowler was the first U.S. military aircraft specifically designed for tactical electronic warfare — jamming enemy radar and communications while escorting aircraft on strike and bombing missions. More than 30 antennae distributed around the airplane detected radio and radar signals, and it carried up to five underwing jamming transmitter pods.

Prowlers flew with Navy and Marine squadrons from 1970 to 2019, also protecting US and allied warplanes from enemy attack. When Congress lifted a ban in 1993 on women in combat aircraft, Prowlers were among the first with women pilots and crew. No Prowlers were lost in combat.

The EA-6B was also used extensively to jam or activate radio controlled improvised explosive devices(IEDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan, protecting lives of soldiers on the ground.

The EA-6B was a further evolution of the twin seat EA-6A Electronic Intruder (which more or less looked exactly like the twin seat A-6 Intruder attack aircraft). The forward fuselage of the EA-6A was lengthened to create a rear area for a larger four-seat cockpit, and an antenna fairing was added to the tip of its vertical stabilizer. The AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jammer System (TJS) was the core of the EA-6B. The AN/ALQ-99's primary receiving antennas were housed in a fixed pod on top of the tailfin, like that on the EA-6A, with additional antennas on the side of the tailfin. It housed sensitive surveillance receivers, capable of detecting hostile radar emissions at long range. Emitter information was processed by the central mission computer. Detection, identification, direction-finding, and jammer-set-on-sequence could be performed automatically or by the crew. Other jammer gear was to be carried on the underwing pylons. The jamming transmitters and exciter equipment were housed in under-wing pods(removeable). HARM anti-radiation missiles were also carried depending on mission requirements.

There were four crew on the EA-6B - a pilot and three ECMOs(Electronic Counter Measures Officer), sitting in a 2x2 arrangement on Martin-Baker Mark 7 ejection seats, with the front-seat ECMO doubling as a navigator. There were separate back-hinged clamshell canopies for each of the two rows of seats. The canopies were coated with a thin gold film to protect the crew from the powerful emissions produced by the aircraft's jammer systems.The pilot sat on the front port side with an ECMO/Navigator on his right. The other two ECMOs sat in the rear cockpit side by side. The ECMO in the right front seat was responsible for navigation, communications, and defensive electronic countermeasures. The underwing ALQ-99 jammer pods were operated by the two ECMOs in the aft cockpit.

The additional weight of the fuselage extension and additional equipment led to reinforced wings and landing gear on the EA-6B. The internal fuel capacity was also increased. An AN/APQ-129 radar was fitted in the nose to help support attacks with Shrikes ARMs or other munitions, with an AN/APN-153 Doppler navigation radar fitted as well, along with an AN/ALQ-100 defensive jammer system.

Three A-6As were modified as initial prototypes of the EA-6B, with the first flying in its new form on 25 May 1968. The first production EA-6B performed its first flight in November 1970, with service deliveries beginning the next year, 1971. Initial production machines had J52-P-8A engines, with later production featuring uprated Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 engines providing 49.8 kN (5,080 kgp / 11,200 lbf) thrust each, and most early machines retrofitted with these engines.

The EA-6Bs were regarded as sufficiently different from other Intruder variants to be given a new name: "Prowler". They were available for combat operations over Southeast Asia in the very last months of the US involvement in the Vietnam War, suffering no losses. 170 new-build Prowlers were manufactured up to end of production in 1991.

The Prowler was replaced in US Navy service by an ECM derivative of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet - the "EA-18G Growler". The last service flight of a US Navy Prowler was on 27 June 2015. US Marine Corps continued to operate the Prowler till 2019.

US Marine Corps Prowlers were in action in 2018, flying missions out of Qatar to jam communications of Islamist insurgents in Syria -- but that was the end of it, the Prowler being retired by the US Marine Corps in 2019. The Marines did not replace their Prowlers with Growlers, instead they were thinking of replacing it with a vertical take-off drone that could operate off assault ships, to conduct electronic warfare, early warning, surveillance, and communications relay missions. They also would like the drone to carry light guided weapons to deal with "time-critical targets" -- that is, that have to be engaged when spotted, or they'll get away -- and possibly a light cargo load as a secondary mission.

VAQ-140 "Patriots"

With a squadron radio callsign of "Talon" and known as America's squadron, Electromagnetic Attack Squadron ONE FOUR ZERO (VAQ-140) "Patriots" was established on October 1, 1985 on the EA-6B Prowler, and was immediately tasked with the evaluation and testing of the AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) on their Prowlers. It became the first Prowler squadron to operationally deploy with HARMs aboard USS John F. Kennedy in August 1986. The squadron was deployed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for the beginning of Operation Desert Shield in September 1991.

In 1999, in support of Operation Allied Force(NATO bombing of Yugoslavia), they assumed Command of Electronic Attack Wing Aviano, which consisted of 100 Aircrew and 300 Support Personnel. While flying over 740 combat missions and 3300 flight hours, 117 AGM-88 HARMs were fired against the enemy, earning the Patriots a Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

The squadron returned to the Persian Gulf aboard the Eisenhower for Operation Southern Watch in 2006. On October 3, the Patriots and its EA-6Bs made its first of five deployments onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On June 20, 2012 the "Patriots" began their last deployment on the USS DDE with the EA-6B. VAQ-140 returned home to NAS Whidbey Island and began the process of retiring the Prowler for the new EA-18G Growler.The squadron completed transition to the EA-18G Growler in July 2014.


General characteristics
Crew: 4 (one pilot, three electronic countermeasures officers)
Length: 59 ft 10 in (18.24 m)
Wingspan: 53 ft (16 m)
Height: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
Wing area: 528.9 sq ft (49.14 m2)
Empty weight: 31,160 lb (14,134 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 61,500 lb (27,896 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408A turbojet engines, 10,400 lbf (46 kN) thrust each

Performance
Maximum speed: 566 kn (651 mph, 1,048 km/h)
Cruise speed: 418 kn (481 mph, 774 km/h)
Range: 2,022 nmi (2,327 mi, 3,745 km) (tanks kept)
2,400 mi (2,100 nmi; 3,900 km) (tanks dropped)
Service ceiling: 37,600 ft (11,500 m)
Rate of climb: 12,900 ft/min (66 m/s)
Wing loading: 116 lb/sq ft (570 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.34

Armament
Hardpoints: 5 total: 1× centerline/under-fuselage plus 4× under-wing pylon stations with a capacity of 18,000 pounds (8,200 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of:
Missiles: Up to 4× AGM-88 HARM Anti-radiation missiles (typically 2x carried)
Other:
Up to 5× 300 US gallons (1,100 L) external drop tanks
Up to 5× AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS) external pods
AN/ALE-43(V)1&4 Bulk Chaff Dispensing System pod
AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening targeting pod (USMC only)
Avionics
AN/ALQ-218 Tactical Jamming System Receiver
AN/USQ-113 Communications Jamming System










No. 198 of 600 models manufactured












The attachment options


The AN/ALQ-99 Jammer pod with a RAT(Ram Air Turbine)












Cockpit details

[skanchan95]

The American Flag Tail twins

US Marine Corps F/A-18A+ VMFA-115 "Silver Eagles" with US Navy EA-6B Prowler VAQ-140 "Patriots"

[skanchan95]

JC EA-6B's greatest feature:
Folding Wing and other "Open" attachments.

Like most carrier based aircraft, the EA-6B too had a folding wing mechanism. It is a design feature of an aircraft to save space and is typical of carrier-based aircraft that operate from the limited deck space of aircraft carriers. The folding of the wings allows the aircraft to occupy less space in a confined hangar because the folded wing normally rises over the fuselage decreasing the floor area of the aircraft. Vertical clearance is also limited in aircraft carrier hangar decks.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

JC EA-6B's greatest feature:
Folding Wing and other "Open" attachments.

Like most carrier based aircraft, the EA-6B too had a folding wing mechanism. It is a design feature of an aircraft to save space and is typical of carrier-based aircraft that operate from the limited deck space of aircraft carriers. The folding of the wings allows the aircraft to occupy less space in a confined hangar because the folded wing normally rises over the fuselage decreasing the floor area of the aircraft. Vertical clearance is also limited in aircraft carrier hangar decks.

Hearty hearty congratulations on your latest acquisition.
This is a serious one and quite a unique aircraft i.e. electronic Warfare and being carrier borne.
Very eye catching detailing. And thank you for those numerous photos for us to get green over :-)

All the best.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

JC EA-6B's greatest feature:
Folding Wing and other "Open" attachments.

What an amazing model! Thank you for sharing all the nuggets of info along with the model. Helps aviation illiterate folks like myself, to still enjoy these posts.

This is probably the first military/fighter aircraft (except the bigger bombers) I have seen with a crew of 4, with 2 abreast seating. Are there any others out there with similar configuration?

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Hearty hearty congratulations on your latest acquisition.

Thank you Sir.

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

What an amazing model! Thank you for sharing all the nuggets of info along with the model. Helps aviation illiterate folks like myself, to still enjoy these posts.

This is probably the first military/fighter aircraft (except the bigger bombers) I have seen with a crew of 4, with 2 abreast seating. Are there any others out there with similar configuration?

You are welcome.

Discounting the heavy bombers like the Tu-160 and the B-1, the only other aircraft that comes to my mind is the AEW variant of the A-1 Skyraider. It had a crew of four seated in a similar manner as in the EA-6B.

I suppose Narayan sir will have more such examples in his mind.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

JC EA-6B's greatest feature:
Folding Wing and other "Open" attachments.

Amazing model with lots of details I love the opening panels and folding wings which look very realistic.

Whats the door opening on the bottom of the rear fuselage ?

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

Amazing model with lots of details I love the opening panels and folding wings which look very realistic.

Whats the door opening on the bottom of the rear fuselage ?

Thank You.

Guessing by the antenna that is present on the outer shell and a few boxes inside it, my guess is that it is a compartment that probably houses communication equipment and possibly power equipment as well. Behind it are the chaff/flare dispensers and Tail Hook.

[amoi]

The Prowler is one of my favorite military aircraft, second only to the Sepecat jaguar. I love how unique and quirky the EA6B is. Seating for 4, The gold tinted canopy and that unmistakable shape. Its always fun reading about the missions flown by the crew and Electronic warfare is a whole different ballgame all together.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by amoi

The Prowler is one of my favorite military aircraft, second only to the Sepecat jaguar. I love how unique and quirky the EA6B is. Seating for 4, The gold tinted canopy and that unmistakable shape. Its always fun reading about the missions flown by the crew and Electronic warfare is a whole different ballgame all together.

You might want to read Stephen Counts books on the stories of Jake Grafton!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...f_the_Intruder

An American friend of us, flew intruder during Vietnam. He says Counts book are spot on!

Jeroen

[fhdowntheline]

Grumman Corp did come up with unique aircraft, notably the Cat series- F4 Wildcat, F6 Hellcat, F14 Tomcat, the A/E6 Intruder/Prowler and finally the Apollo Lunar Module!

The history of American aerospace industry is one of my favorite topics, especially WW2 onwards leading into the Cold War leading up to the early 80s. The sheer scale and depth of enterprise and tech prowess that they came up with is mind boggling.

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

Discounting the heavy bombers like the Tu-160 and the B-1, the only other aircraft that comes to my mind is the AEW variant of the A-1 Skyraider. It had a crew of four seated in a similar manner as in the EA-6B. I suppose Narayan sir will have more such examples in his mind.

To best of my knowledge if you ignore the strategic jet bombers like Tupolev Tu-22M and B-1Lancer both of which have 4 crew members no other fast jet sported a crew of 4. The Tu-22 (not M, just plain -22) had 3; the Covair B-58 Hustler had 3.

Top package so much of electronic warfare and ELINT capability into such a small airframe and fit a crew of 4 and keep it carrier compatible is a feat of design engineering. You have to give it to the Americans where naval aviation goes they have been so far ahead of the rest of the world since 1942/1943 that no one even comes close. China with all its might will need another generation to field the same calibre and sheer spread of aircraft.