EA-6B Prowler
Developed from the Vietnam era U.S Navy bomber the A-6 Intruder, the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler is electronic-warfare aircraft designed to detect and jam enemy radar systems to provide cover for attacking U.S. assets. With a crew of one pilot and three Electronic Countermeasures Officers the Prowler is powered by two Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engines, its unique tear drop shaped fuselage is capable of high subsonic speeds. Differing substantially from the smaller A-6, the most notable external changes are the forward fuselage stretch to create a four-seat cockpit, the fitting of an antenna fairing to the top of the vertical stabilizer and the gold tinted canopy to limit electronic interference.
Although designed as an electronic warfare aircraft, the EA-6B Prowler was also capable of suppressing enemy air defenses by directly attacking radar and surface to air missile sites with anti-radiation missiles, such as the AGM-88 HARM and the Shrike.
Entering service during the final stages of the Vietnam War EA-6B’s continued to play an important role post-Vietnam, in the invasion of Grenada, the reprisal strikes against Libya, Operation Desert Storm, the Balkan Campaigns and throughout the War on Terror from Iraq and Afghanistan to Syria.
The museum’s EA-6B-100-GR ICAP II Prowler Bu.No.161882, last flew when it moved from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA into Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on February 4th, 2014 by Lt James “Tung” Dobbs, Lt Mark “Haiku” Hahn, Lt Frank “Wuta” Willis, and Lt. Ana “Gazer” Brown of VAQ-131. During its period of service, the aircraft also served with every US Marine Corps EA-6B squadron; VMAQ-1, VMAQ-2, VMAQ-3, It is currently being displayed in the colors of the Death Jesters VMAQ-2.
| Manufacturer: | Northrop Grumman | ||
| Designation: | EA-6 | ||
| Version: | B | ||
| Nickname: | Prowler | ||
| Type: | Electronic Warfare Aircraft | ||
| Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length: | 59 ft 10in | ||
| Height: | 16 ft 8in | ||
| Wingspan: | 53 ft | ||
| Crew: | 4 | ||
| Armament: | AGM-88 HARM missile | ||
| Gross Weight: | 65,000 lbs | ||
| Propulsion | |||
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 | ||
| Thrust: | 11,200 lb (each) | ||
| Performance | |||
| Range: | 2,024 miles | ||
| Cruise Speed: | 481 mph | ||
| Max Speed: | 658 at sea level | ||
| Ceiling: | 40,000 max 37,600 service | ||