Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>EA-6B>HA5011
EA-6B Prowler "Eve of Destruction" 163527, VAQ-141 "Shadowhawks", Operation Desert Storm, 1991
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
In early 1991 VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks” deployed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Desert Storm. VAQ-141 was the first Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) aircraft to deliver ordnance by firing AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) on the first night. EA-6B Prowler 163527 “Eve of Destruction” was the aircraft assigned to the commanding officer of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 141. The air crew were Pilot/CO Cdr Frank “Axel” Folly, ECMO 1 LCdr Rick “Flash” Morgan, ECMO 2 Lt. Steve “Psycho” Schwing, ECMO 3 Lt.. John “Gordo” Gordon.
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 |