Posted on 11/15/2014 7:48:43 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Yesterday, four EA-6B Prowlers belonging to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-134 'Garudas' made a triumphant but bittersweet return to NAS Whidbey Island in upstate Washington. The squadron had been deployed aboard the USS George H.W. Bush for the last nine and a half months, and their arrival marked the end of the last EA-6B carrier deployment.
The EA-6B Prowler has been flying for over 46 years. The aircraft it directly descends from, the A-6 Intruder, was first flown some 54 years ago. The Prowler also represents the end of a long line of over-engineered and incredibly capable naval jet aircraft built by the Grumman Aerospace Company located in Bethpage New York. These heavy-duty, seemingly indestructible naval aircraft built by the famous firm are affectionately referred to as "Grumman Iron."
It is sad to think that the famous "Flying Fry Pan" Prowler will never be seen on a US carrier again, although the venerable jet did go out with a bang. The type was called into combat late in the summer, along with the rest of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, at first to stop ISIS's gains in Iraq, and then to strike at the heart of the Terror State, deep into Syria.
For counter-insurgency operations, the Prowler can jam the electronic triggering of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and it can intercept and disrupt the enemy's communications. Yet the Prowler was almost certainly practicing its core mission set on the night of the initial coalition strikes deep into Syria, and it most likely provided electronic screening for the F-22 Raptor's combat debut.
The Navy is at the end of its fairly rapid conversion to the Super Hornet derivative EA-18G Growler, a design that brings many technological benefits to the electronic attack mission. In exchange for the Growler's automation, additional sensors (especially its APG-79 AESA radar and its ALQ-227 Communication Countermeasure Set), speed and multi-role capability, the ability to fly with four crewman gives way to a pilot and an electronic countermeasures officer (ECO) alone in the Growler. Additionally, the Prowler's long range, a trait it inherited from its all-weather medium attack progenitor, the A-6 Intruder, will also be missed, as an EA-18G with four ALQ-99 Jamming pods on its canted wing pylons, and a center-line fuel tank, is a draggy beast and fuel hungry beast.
Still, the Prowlers are truly old aircraft, their turbojet engines are not fuel efficient and they lack the multi-role flexibility of the Growler, along with its commonality with over half the Navy's fighter fleet. That being said, the Prowler will be sorely missed and multiple combat commanders will attest to the humble jet's ability to have 'incredible effects' on the battlefield.
Don't shed too many tears for the Prowler just yet, the USMC will continue to operate the aircraft in its most advanced ICAP III form for years to come.
Currently, the USMC's EA-6B program will not conclude until 2019, although phasing out will begin in 2016 and no replacement for these essential jets has been announced yet. The F-35 has been the most likely contender, as the jet's electronic warfare, surveillance and radar suite are considered cutting edge, and the F-35B and C model will eventually amount for the USMC's entire tactical jet fleet.
If an EA-35 variant were to come to pass, it is still unclear if another crewman would be seated where the F-35B's lift fan is, or if a single pilot would execute such a complex mission alone. Additionally, just how the Next Generation Jammers would be fitted to the stealthy aircraft remains undisclosed. Some ideas including mounting the pods in an enclosure over the jet's twin weapons bays, while others see the jammers slung in stealthy pods under the jet's wings.
The Navy's EA-6B Prowler Completes Its Final Carrier Cruise EXPAND 12
The reality is that the USMC will remain very cash strapped up through the Prowler's final phase out. At which time, the relatively small force of just four squadrons of USMC EA-6Bs could very well continue flying well into the next decade. The only other alternative is for the USMC to drop the electronic attack mission for a period of time, which would result in a catastrophic capability and experience drain from the USMC's 'air force in a box' mentality.
I would not doubt that some in the F-35 program would actually lobby for future Prowler funds to be allocated to the F-35 program, as they may claim the stealthy jet provides some degree of self-escort electronic attack capability, and with stealth, further standoff electronic attack is not needed. Such a decision would be asinine, but not out of the realm of possibility these days.
*sigh*
With the arrival of the EA-18G Growler, it's time to retire the EA-6B.
The Marine Corps will likely continue flying the EA-6B for the foreseeable future. The F-35 is not a viable platform for USMC Electronic Warfare mission needs. The Growler variant of the F/A-18 would be a more suitable replacement.
Is the second photo here of Whidbey Island? Fabulous picture.
That’s not the issue. Their airframe lives are not even close. We still built these into the 90s. In fact we dumped many brand new ones into the ocean to create an artificial reef or so they say.
The actual purpose was to clear the way for the A-12.
The F-35 moonpig and the super insect can’t replace the A-6.
A responsible government would have updated some electronics on those fine machines and been done.
But politicians and procurement officers have careers to think of.
Deception Pass and bridge, between Whidbey Island and the mainland.
Most of the ones around today were built in the late 80s until about 91. They have been fantastically maintained and are not being retired because they are old. The industry just needs new projects. .. that’s it.
damn...
Thank you. That must be the bridge that is shown in some TV commercials or shows?
One of my all time favorite planes. For a subsonic plane, if flew like a raped ape!
Sigh. I will miss that one.
BR-64 Growler
not tanker junkie either
One of my sons proudly flew the Prowler— from the USS Nimitz. One time he safely landed without the flaps down, as a bolt had broken. Got a commendation for that one!
outstanding...
Deception Pass Bridge connects to Whidbey Island to the south and Fidalgo Island to the north which then connects to the mainland about ten miles away. There is no direct connection to the mainland except by bridge or ferry.
Ike was right. The Beast of GREED has taken over the offices once held by honorable men. Our military industrial organization is single purposed and not in the least concerned with who will win the war.
Just want to say that I find your aviation posts consistently interesting. Thanks.
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