Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>EA-6B>HA5010
Grumman EA-6B Prowler 160437, VAQ-142, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan “Operation Iraqi Freedom”
General Background
Based on the A-6 Intruder the Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman) EA-6B Prowler primary
mission is to support strike aircraft and ground forces by interrupting enemy electronics and
gathering tactical intelligence. The aircraft carries 4-crew and is in service with the USN and
USMC. The first USN EA-6B was retired on June 10, 2011 and the last carrier deployment by an
EA-6B took place on November 14, 2014. The USN will replace the EA-6B with the Boeing
EA-18G Growler. The USMC will continue using the EA-6B until 2019.
The Aircraft
The first Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142) “The Gray Wolves” is a USN squadron stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and was established on June 1, 1988 and disestablished in March 1991. The second VAQ-142 was established in 1997 and in 2003 was
deployed to Bagram in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom”. They once again returned to Bagram and between July 2006 and January 2007 fling 187 days of missions. In October 2007 VAQ-142 again deployed to Iraq for 6 months in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom”.
Specifications :
| Role: | Electronic Attack |
| First Flight: | May 25, 1968 |
| Operationally Ready: | July 1971 |
| Crew: | 4 x (Pilot and 3 Electronic Countermeasures Officers) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 59 feet 10 inches (17.7 m) |
| Wingspan | 53 feet (15.9 m) |
| Height: | 16 feet 8 inches (4.9 m) |
| Performance | |
| Cruise: | 418 kts / 481 mph (775 km/h) |
| Maximum: | 566 kts / 651 mph (1,049 km/h) |
| Rate of Climb: | 12,900 ft/min (65.53 m/s) |
| Service Ceiling: | 37,600 ft (11,460 m) |
| Range: | 1,000+ nm /1,150+ miles (1,840+ km) |
| Weights | |
| Empty: | 31,160 lbs (14,134 kg) |
| Maximum Take Off: | 61,500 pounds (27,450 kg) |
| Armament/Weapons: | 4 x AGM-88 HARM |
| 5 x AN/ALQ-99 Low Band Jamming Pods |