Grumman EF-111A Raven

The electronic warfare aircraft built to suppress enemy radar defenses.

The General Dynamics EF-111A Raven at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. © U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock

Overview

Grumman United States 1977–1985 $40 million (1981)

The Grumman EF-111A Raven was a specialized electronic warfare aircraft developed from the F-111 platform. Designed to jam and disrupt enemy radar systems, it played a critical role in strike packages. The aircraft served the U.S. Air Force for over two decades.

Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-9
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
2 × 20,840 lbf · 93 kN
Avionics
Dual AN/ASN-41 ring laser gyroscope INS, AN/APN-218 Doppler radar, AN/APQ-146
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
76 ft 0 in  ·  23.17 m
Tail height
20 ft 0 in  ·  6.10 m
Fuselage diameter
5 ft 3 in  ·  1.60 m
Wing span
63 ft 0 in  ·  19.20 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
89,000 lb  ·  40,400 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
—
Fuel capacity
5,050 gal · 19,100 L · 15,300 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
1,270 kt  ·  1,461 mph  ·  2,352 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
1,740 nm  ·  2,000 mi  ·  3,220 km
Fuel burn
0.35 nm/gal  ·  0.17 km/L
Ceiling
55,400 ft  ·  16,900 m
Rate of climb
11,000 ft/min  ·  56 m/s
Takeoff distance
5,800 ft  ·  1,780 m
Landing distance
2,200 ft  ·  670 m
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An air to air overhead front view of an EF 111A Raven aircraft.

Operational Context

Grumman EF-111A Raven — electronic warfare aircraft

The EF-111A was introduced in the late 1970s as a replacement for earlier electronic warfare aircraft. Based on the F-111 airframe, it retained the variable-sweep wing and twin-engine configuration. The first operational aircraft entered service in 1983.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney TF30 turbofan engines producing approximately 25,000 pounds of thrust (111 kN) each with afterburner, the EF-111A could exceed Mach 2. Maximum takeoff weight was roughly 88,000 pounds (39,920 kg). Instead of offensive weapons, it carried advanced electronic jamming systems.

The Raven saw operational use in conflicts including the Gulf War. Its ability to suppress enemy air defenses enhanced the survivability of strike aircraft. The type was retired in the late 1990s following the introduction of newer electronic warfare platforms.