The EA-6B Prowler was designed to complement the Navy's defenses in today's environment of electronic warfare. Electronic countermeasures need to be improved to compete with the growing complexity of hostile radar-guided weapons, missiles and aircraft. The Prowler was the first aircraft built from the drawing boards to fulfill the role of electronic warfare aircraft. The EA-6B Prowler is included in every aircraft carrier deployment. The primary mission of the EA-6B is to protect the units of the surface fleet and other aircraft radar and communications hostile interference.
The EA-6B is an integral part of the first line of defense fleet, and will continue well into the next century. As a result of restructuring DoD assets in 1995, the EF-111 Raven was retired, and the EA-6B was left as the only radar jammer in DoD. Five new squadrons were stood up. Four of these squadrons are dedicated to supporting the wings of the USAF Aerospace Expeditionary Force.
The EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft - which played a key role in the suppression of enemy air defenses during Operation Desert Storm - enhances the ability to attack not only the wings of the airlines, but Air Force U.S. and allied forces as well. The decision to retire from the Air Force EF-111A Raven and to assign all missions of the Department of Defense radar interference to the Prowler adds to the importance of the EA-6B joint warfare.
With its high-speed interference and Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) capability, the Prowler is a unique national asset that will be deployed from land bases and aircraft carriers. His ability to control the electromagnetic spectrum and actively deny an adversary the use of radar and communications is unmatched by any airborne platform worldwide.
