EA-6B Prowler

EA-6B Prowler (Electronic warfare/Attack aircraft) – 82

Manufacturer: Grumman, Northrop Grumman

First flight: 25 May 1968

Introduction: July 1971

Number built: 170

Unit cost: $52 million (c.1998)

Developed from: Grumman A-6 Intruder

General characteristics

Crew: 4 (pilot, 3 electronic countermeasures officers)

Length: 17.7 m

Wingspan: 15.9 m

Height: 4.9 m

Wing area: 49.1 m²

Empty weight: 15,130 kg

Max. takeoff weight: 27,900 kg

Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney J52-P408A turbojet, 4,691 kgf (46 kN) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 1,050 km/h

Cruise speed: 774 km/h

Range: 3,254 km (tanks kept) / 3,861 km (tanks dropped)

Service ceiling: 11,500 m

Rate of climb: 65 m/s

Wing loading: 560 kg/m²

Thrust/weight: 0.34

Armament

Hardpoints

5 total: 1× centreline/under-fuselage plus 4× under-wing pylon stations with a capacity of 8,164.7 kg and provisions to carry combinations of:

Missiles: Up to 4× AGM-88 HARM Anti-radiation missiles (2× typically carried)

Other:

Up to 5× 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