On the Prowl

The EA-6B Prowler, a plane that first made its appearance in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, is now providing cover to ground forces in Iraq by jamming electronic signals that trigger IEDs.

Woods, the commander of Carrier Air Wing Eleven and one of the Navy's most experienced Prowler pilots, says few people understand the EA-6B's mission, which is to control the electromagnetic spectrum so allies can use it — but not enemies.

The Prowler and its electronic warfare system is so valuable it has never been exported — even to close allies. Details about the training of crewmembers are secret.

The Prowler is a homely plane, hung with torpedo-shaped pods and covered in tumor-like bumps packed with a bewildering array of computers, transmitters, antennae and receivers that can analyze and block ground transmissions. A sinister-looking prong protruding from its nose is a refueling nozzle.

The EA-6B's bulbous nose cradles a crew of four: a pilot and three electronic countermeasures officers who operate the jamming gear.

Outside experts say the Prowler remains the world's most effective electronic warfare aircraft, but the aging U.S. fleet of about 120 aircraft is overworked.

The Navy is in the process of testing the replacement to the Prowler, the EA-18G Growler that is based on the F/A-18 platform (see also here). The F/A-18 is the primary Navy fighter/attack aircraft, and the savings from sharing a common platform would be considerable given that the Prowler is nearly 40 years old.