[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

(EA-18, replacing the EA-6B)

The proposal is for developing the F/A-18G(Growler) which would replace the EA-6B. The F/A-18G would have the same limitations that the EF-111 Raven had and the only advantage would be speed. It would take three F/A-18G's to replicate the mission capabilities of one EA-6B. Also, preliminary cost analysis show that it would be cheaper to reopen the Prowler line than to introduce a new platform. 104 sets of new wings have been purchased so the entire Prowler fleet will be rewinged and the ADVCAP upgrade will keep the EA-6B's in the fleet for a long time to come.

Incidentally, Gillcrist is one sharp guy. He blows the fallacies about stealth technology out of the water in his article The Myth of Stealth

[Poohbah]

Uh, Smedley...there is an overriding concern, and that is that the Prowler cannot keep up with the strike birds--with the A-6 gone, EA-6B is a ball and chain on the strike package. Also, the EA-6B cannot handle itself in any air-to-air threat.