Editing Grumman EA-6B Prowler (section)

{{Short description|American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
| name = EA-6B Prowler
| image = File:Prowler Final Flight division flight (cropped).jpg
| caption = Grumman EA-6B Prowler in flight
| alt = 
| type = [[Electronic warfare]]/[[Attack aircraft]]
| manufacturer = [[Grumman]] <br />[[Northrop Grumman]]
| designer = 
| first_flight = 25 May 1968<ref name="NAVAIR">{{cite web |publisher= [[Naval Air Systems Command]] |website= Warfighters Encyclopedia |url= https://wrc.navair-rdte.navy.mil/warfighter_enc/aircraft/Fixwing/prowler.htm |title= EA-6B Prowler |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041105115205/https://wrc.navair-rdte.navy.mil/warfighter_enc/aircraft/Fixwing/prowler.htm |archive-date= 5 November 2004}}</ref>
| introduction = July 1971
| retired = 2015 ([[USN]]) <br>March 2019 ([[USMC]])
| produced = 1966-1991
| number_built = 170<ref name = "Hansen 8"/>
| status = Retired<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.marines.mil/News/Marines-TV/videoid/655980/dvpcc/false/ |title = VMAQ-2 – 44 Years of Electronic Warfare |website = marines.mil |date = 11 January 2019 }}</ref>
| primary_user = [[United States Navy]] (historical)
| more_users = [[United States Marine Corps]] (historical)
| developed_from = [[Grumman A-6 Intruder]]
| variants = 
}}

The '''Northrop Grumman''' (formerly [[Grumman]]) '''EA-6B Prowler''' is a [[Twinjet|twin-engine]], four-seat, mid-wing [[electronic-warfare aircraft]]. Operated by both the [[United States Marine Corps]] and [[United States Navy]] between 1971 and 2019, it was derived from the [[Grumman A-6 Intruder|A-6 Intruder]] airframe.

The aircraft's immediate predecessor, the ''EA-6A'', was an interim conversion of the A-6 airframe to perform [[electronic warfare]] missions during the 1960s. In 1966, work on the more advanced EA-6B commenced. It featured an enlarged four-seat cockpit, a fully integrated [[electronic warfare]] system, and advanced [[electronic countermeasures]]. Furthermore, it was suitable for long-range, all-weather [[Carrier-based aircraft|carrier-based operations]] in addition to land-based uses. Typically, the aircrew of an EA-6B consisted of a single pilot and three [[Naval Flight Officer|Electronic Countermeasures Officers]],<ref name="CRS 2001 EA-6B report">{{cite report |author=Bolkcom, Christopher |date=3 December 2001 |title=Electronic Warfare: EA-6B Aircraft Modernization and Related Issues for Congress |publisher=Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service |page=4 |url=https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL30639.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102928/https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL30639.html |archive-date=6 February 2024 |url-status=live |ref={{SfnRef|Bolkcom|2001}}}}</ref> though it was not uncommon for only two ECMOs to be used on missions. It was capable of firing [[anti-radiation missile]]s (ARMs), such as the [[AGM-88 HARM]].<ref name="navyhist prowler" /> Although designed as an electronic warfare and command-and-control aircraft for [[air strike]] missions, the EA-6B was also capable of attacking some surface targets on its own, in particular enemy [[radar]] sites and [[surface-to-air missile]] launchers. In addition, the EA-6B was capable of gathering [[ELINT|electronic signals intelligence]].

On 25 May 1968, the EA-6B performed its [[maiden flight]]; a total of three prototype were converted from A-6As while five EA-6Bs participated in the development programme. During July 1971, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) became the first operational squadron to be equipped with the type; the EA-6B's first combat deployment took place 11 months later in the latter half of the [[Vietnam War]]. It frequently carried out electronic warfare operations, such as the jamming of enemy [[radar|radar systems]], as well as the gathering of radio intelligence on enemy radar and [[air defense system]]s. The EA-6B would also play an active role during the 1983 [[invasion of Grenada]], [[1986 United States bombing of Libya|Operation El Dorado Canyon]] (1986 Libya), [[Operation Praying Mantis]] (Iran 1988), and [[Operation Desert Storm]] (Iraq 1991). It would also be called on during the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Operation Enduring Freedom]] (Afghanistan 2001–2014) and [[Operation Inherent Resolve]] (Iraq 2014) in addition to other lower intensity duties.

By the twenty-first century, efforts to eventually replace the EA-6B had been launched, such as the abortive [[Common Support Aircraft]] initiative. As a result of the type being heavily used during its lengthy service life, the EA-6B had become a relatively high-maintenance aircraft during its latter years of service. Nevertheless, it had undergone frequent equipment upgrades throughout its service life;<ref name = "Hansen 8">Hansen 2006, p. 8.</ref> major programmes included the Advanced Capability EA-6B and the Improved Capability (ICAP) II schemes. The type's final overseas deployment occurred in late 2014; the EA-6B was withdrawn from U.S. Navy service in June 2015 while the U.S. Marine Corps retired its last aircraft in March 2019. It has been effectively succeeded by the [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]], an [[electronic warfare]] derivative of the [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]].