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The A-6 Intruder has formed the basis of two Electronic Warfare
aircraft for the US Navy and Marine Corps. The EA-6A Intruder
was developed in the 1960s to replace the EF-10B. The EA-6A
retained the original Intruder crew of two but introduced
a bulged fairing atop the fin which housed an number of antennas.
The aircraft carried jamming pods on wing pylons. Twenty seven
of this type were built and these aircraft served in Vietnam
and were retired in the late 1970s.
The EA-6B Prowler is the definitive EW version of the Intruder.
The forward fuselage is stretched to allow a four person crew
to be carried. The Prowler has the a fin tip pod similar to
the EA-6A and also carries jammers in underwing pods. The
first Prowler flew in 1968 and 170 were accquired for the
USN and USMC. A number of upgrades have been performed on
the aircrafts systems over the years including: EXCAP (Expanded
Capability); ICAP-1 (Improved Capability 1); ICAP-2; ICAP-2/Block
86 which added HARM capability; ADVCAP (Advanced Capability).
The most recent upgrade is the ADVCAP/Block 91. This features
improvements to the jamming system and incorporates GPS navigation.
With the retirement of the USAF EF-111A the Prowler is the
primary EW aircraft for both the USN and the USAF.
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