Military Aircraft
Overview
The Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler was a carrier-capable electronic attack aircraft developed from the A-6 Intruder. Designed to jam enemy radar and communications, it supported strike missions for decades. The aircraft became a central component of U.S. naval electronic warfare.
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Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P408A
- Engine type
- Jet
- Thrust
- 2 × 10,400 lbf · 46 kN
- Avionics
- Advanced Electronic Attack ICAP III System
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 4
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 59 ft 9 in · 18.20 m
- Tail height
- 16 ft 3 in · 4.95 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 5 ft 7 in · 1.70 m
- Wing span
- 52 ft 2 in · 15.90 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 61,500 lb · 27,900 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 18,100 lb · 8,200 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 3,750 gal · 14,200 L · 11,400 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 566 kt · 651 mph · 1,048 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 2,400 nm · 2,760 mi · 4,440 km
- Fuel burn
- 0.64 nm/gal · 0.31 km/L
- Ceiling
- 37,600 ft · 11,500 m
- Rate of climb
- 12,900 ft/min · 66 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 2,750 ft · 840 m
- Landing distance
- 2,200 ft · 670 m
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Operational Context
Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler — carrier-based electronic attack aircraft
The EA-6B entered service in the early 1970s as an advanced electronic warfare platform. It retained the A-6’s twin-engine configuration and high-mounted wings while incorporating specialized jamming equipment. The aircraft operated from aircraft carriers and land bases.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet engines producing approximately 10,000 pounds of thrust (44 kN) each, the EA-6B cruised at around 480 knots (890 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight was roughly 61,500 pounds (27,900 kg). Its crew of four managed electronic countermeasure systems and mission equipment.
The Prowler saw combat in numerous conflicts, providing suppression of enemy air defenses. It was eventually replaced by the EA-18G Growler. The EA-6B remains an important chapter in naval aviation electronic warfare development.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.