[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.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Keeping up with the strike package can be dealt with. Launching the Prowlers prior to the strike and coordinating their simultaneous arrival at the insertion point has been the standard protocol and most jamming is done in the standoff mode anyway. Despite some attempts that didn't get very far, the A-6 didn't have the ability to engage in air-to-air either and it proved to be the most effective, lethal strike platform in the history of Naval aviation. It should be noted that no plane has ever been lost when accompanied by an EA-6B for SEAD.