View source for Grumman EA-6B Prowler

{{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
| 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}}</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]] derived from the [[Grumman A-6 Intruder|A-6 Intruder]] airframe. The '''EA-6A''' was the initial [[electronic warfare]] version of the A-6 used by the [[United States Marine Corps]] and [[United States Navy]]; it was used during the [[Vietnam War]]. Development on the more advanced EA-6B began in 1966. An EA-6B aircrew consisted of one 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 carrying and firing [[anti-radiation missile]]s (ARMs), such as the [[AGM-88 HARM]].<ref name= ":1" />

The Prowler was in service with the [[U.S. Armed Forces]] from 1971 until 2019. It carried out numerous missions for jamming enemy [[radar|radar systems]], and in gathering radio intelligence on those and other enemy [[air defense system]]s. Following its last deployment in late 2014, the EA-6B was withdrawn from U.S. Navy service in June 2015, followed by the USMC in March 2019.

==Development==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2018}}

===Origins===
The EA-6A "Electric Intruder" was developed for the [[U.S. Marine Corps]] during the 1960s to replace its [[F3D Skyknight|EF-10B Skyknights]] and [[AD Skyraider]]s in the [[Electronic countermeasure]] (ECM) role.<ref name= ":1" >{{Cite web |title=EA-6B Prowler |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nnam/explore/collections/aircraft/e/ea-6b-prowler0.html |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Naval History and Heritage Command - National Naval Aviation Museum |language=en-US}}</ref> The EA-6A was a direct conversion of the standard [[A-6 Intruder]] airframe, with two seats, equipped with [[electronic warfare]] (EW) equipment. The EA-6A first entered service in Marine Corps squadrons in December 1965, and saw action in [[Operation Rolling Thunder]];<ref name= ":1" /> it was used by three Marine Corps [[Squadron (aviation)|squadrons]] during the [[Vietnam War]]. A total of 27 EA-6As were produced, 15 of which were newly manufactured.<ref name= "Frawley_EA-6B" >{{cite encyclopedia |first=Gerald |last=Frawley |title=Grumman EA-6B Prowler |encyclopedia=The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003 |publisher=Aerospace Publications |year=2002 |isbn=1-875671-55-2}}</ref> Most of these EA-6As were retired from service in the 1970s with the last few being used by the Navy with two electronic attack "aggressor" squadrons, with all examples finally retired in the 1990s.<ref name= "Eden_EA-6B" >{{cite encyclopedia |first=Paul |last=Eden |title=Grumman EA-6B Prowler |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft |publisher=Amber Books |year=2004 |isbn=1-904687-84-9}}</ref> The EA-6A was essentially an interim [[warplane]] until the more-advanced EA-6B could be designed and built.

[[File:EA-6A and EA-6B of VMAQ-2 in flight c1977.jpg|thumb|left|The two-seat EA-6A (top) was followed by the four-seat EA-6B Prowler (bottom)]]
The substantially redesigned and more advanced EA-6B was developed beginning in 1966 as a replacement for [[A-3 Skywarrior|EKA-3B Skywarriors]] for the U.S. Navy. The forward fuselage was lengthened to create a rear area for a larger four-seat cockpit, and an antenna fairing was added to the tip of its [[vertical stabilizer]].<ref name= "Frawley_EA-6B" /> Grumman was awarded a $12.7 million contract to develop an EA-6B prototype on 14 November 1966.<ref>{{cite news |title= EA-6B Prototype |newspaper= Naugatuck Daily News |date= 17 November 1966 |page= 4}}</ref> The Prowler first flew on 25 May 1968, and it entered service on [[aircraft carrier]]s in July 1971.<ref name= "world" >{{cite book |title=The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft |editor1=Paul Eden |editor2=Soph Moeng |publisher=Amber Books Ltd |location=London |year=2002 |isbn=0-7607-3432-1 |page=1152}}</ref> Three prototype EA-6Bs were converted from A-6As, and five EA-6Bs were developmental airplanes. A total of 170 EA-6B production aircraft were manufactured from 1966 through 1991.<ref name= "Eden_EA-6B" />

The EA-6B Prowler was powered by two [[Pratt & Whitney J52]] [[turbojet engine]]s, and it was capable of high subsonic speeds. Due to its extensive electronic warfare operations, and the aircraft's age (produced until 1991), the EA-6B was a high-maintenance aircraft, and had undergone many frequent equipment upgrades. 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]].

The EA-6B Prowler was continually upgraded over the years. The first such upgrade was named "expanded capability" (EXCAP) beginning in 1973. Then came "improved capability" (ICAP) in 1976 and ICAP II in 1980. The ICAP II upgrade provided the EA-6B with the capability of firing [[Shrike missile]]s and [[AGM-88 HARM]] missiles.<ref name= "Eden_EA-6B" />

===Advanced Capability EA-6B===
[[File:EA-6B AIP.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|EA-6B ADVCAP]]<!-- Thumbnail sizing here needed to make text readable. -->

The ''Advanced Capability EA-6B Prowler (ADVCAP)'' was a development program initiated to improve the flying qualities of the EA-6B and to upgrade the [[avionics]] and [[electronic warfare]] systems. The intention was to modify all EA-6Bs into the ADVCAP configuration, however the program was removed from the Fiscal Year 1995 budget due to financial pressure from competing [[U.S. Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] acquisition programs.

The ADVCAP development program was initiated in the late 1980s and was broken into three distinct phases: Full-Scale Development (FSD), Vehicle Enhancement Program (VEP) and the Avionics Improvement Program (AIP).

FSD served primarily to evaluate the new AN/ALQ-149 Electronic Warfare System. The program utilized a slightly modified EA-6B to house the new system.

The VEP added numerous changes to the aircraft to address deficiencies with the original EA-6B flying qualities, particularly lateral-directional problems that hampered recovery from out-of-control flight. Bureau Number 158542 was used. Changes included:
* Leading edge [[strake (aviation)|strakes]] (to improve directional stability)
* Fin pod extension (to improve directional stability)
* [[Aileron]]s (to improve slow speed lateral control)
* Re-contoured leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps (to compensate for an increase in gross weight)
* Two additional wing stations on the outer wing panel (for [[AN/ALQ-99|jamming pods]] only)
* New J52-P-409 engines (increased thrust by 2,000&nbsp;lbf (8.9&nbsp;kN) per engine)
* New digital Standard Automatic Flight Control System (SAFCS)

The added modifications increased the aircraft gross weight approximately {{convert|2000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} and shifted the center of gravity 3% MAC aft of the baseline EA-6B. In previous models, when operating at sustained high [[Angle of attack|angles of attack]], fuel migration would cause additional shifts in CG with the result that the aircraft had slightly negative longitudinal static stability. Results of flight tests of the new configuration showed greatly improved flying qualities and the rearward shift of the CG had minimal impact.

[[File:Nose of FrankenProwler.jpg|thumb| "FrankenProwler" during a pre-flight inspection at [[Al Asad Air Base]], [[Iraq]]]]
The AIP prototype (bureau number 158547) represented the final ADVCAP configuration, incorporating all of the FSD and VEP modifications plus a completely new avionics suite which added multi-function displays to all crew positions, a [[head-up display]] for the pilot, and dual [[Global Positioning System|Global Positioning]]/[[Inertial navigation system]]s. The initial joint test phase between the contractor and the US Navy test pilots completed successfully with few deficiencies.

After the program was canceled, the three experimental Prowlers, BuNo 156482, 158542 and 158547, were mothballed until 1999. Over the next several years, the three aircraft were dismantled and reassembled to create a single aircraft, b/n 158542, which the Navy dubbed "FrankenProwler". It was returned to active service on 23 March 2005.<ref name= "FrankenProwler" >{{cite news|work=Northwest Navigator |first=Brian |last=Harvill |url=http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/whidbey/vaq_141_frankenprowler_rejoins_the_fleet/ |title=VAQ-141 'FrankenProwler' rejoins the fleet |date=29 April 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124010623/http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/whidbey/vaq_141_frankenprowler_rejoins_the_fleet/ |archive-date=24 November 2007}}</ref>

===Improved Capability (ICAP) III===
[[Northrop Grumman]] received contracts from the U.S. Navy to deliver new electronic countermeasures gear to Prowler squadrons; the heart of each ICAP III set consists of the ALQ-218 receiver and new software that provides more precise selective-reactive [[radar jamming and deception]] and threat location. The ICAP III sets also are equipped with the Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS), which includes the [[Link 16]] data link system. Northrop delivered two lots and delivered two more beginning in 2010.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=151114 |title=U.S. Navy Awards Northrop Grumman $125 Million Contract to Produce Fourth Lot of Airborne Electronic Attack Systems |publisher=Northrop Grumman |date=29 September 2008}}</ref> The EA-6B Prowlers in service toward the end of its life were the ICAP III version, carrying the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System.

==Design==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2018}}
Designed for [[Carrier-based aircraft|carrier-based]] and advanced base operations, the EA-6B was a fully integrated [[electronic warfare]] system combining long-range, all-weather capabilities with advanced [[electronic countermeasures]].<ref name=US_Navy_fact_file/> A forward equipment bay and pod-shaped fairing on the vertical fin housed the additional avionics equipment. It was the primary electronic warfare aircraft for the U.S Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The EA-6B's primary mission was to support ground-attack strikes by disrupting enemy [[Electromagnetic radiation|electromagnetic]] activity. As a secondary mission it could also gather tactical [[ELINT|electronic intelligence]] within a combat zone, and another secondary mission was attacking enemy radar sites with anti-radiation missiles.

The Prowler had a crew of four, a pilot and three [[Naval Flight Officer|Electronic Countermeasures Officers]] (known as ECMOs).<ref name= "CRS 2001 EA-6B report" /> The two ECMOs in the rear cockpit operated the Prowler's primary jamming equipment, while the ECMO in the front right seat handled navigation, communications, and defensive electronic countermeasures.{{sfn|Bolkcom|2001|pp=4-5}} Powered by two non-[[Afterburner|afterburning]] [[Pratt & Whitney J52|Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408A]] [[turbojet]] engines, it was capable of speeds of over {{convert|500|knots|mph km/h}}, with a range of over {{convert|1000|nmi|mi km|abbr=off}}.{{sfn|Bolkcom|2001|p=6}}<ref name= "1971 Standard Aircraft Characteristics Form" >{{cite web |title=Standard Aircraft Characteristics: EA-6B Grumman |website=Navy.mil |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation-history/naval-aircraft/current-aircraft-inventory/ea-6b-prowler.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327002521/https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation-history/naval-aircraft/current-aircraft-inventory/ea-6b-prowler.html |archive-date=27 March 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Design particulars included the refueling probe being asymmetrical, appearing bent to the right to improve pilot visibility over that of the A-6 Intruder. It contained an antenna near its root. The canopy had a shading of gold to protect the crew against the radio emissions that the electronic warfare equipment produces.

==Operational history==
[[File:EA-6B Prowler VAQ-131 in flight c1973.jpg|thumb|left|VAQ-131 was the second squadron to deploy to Vietnam, in September 1972.]]

The EA-6B entered service with Fleet Replacement Squadron [[VAQ-129]] in September 1970, and Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) became the first operational squadron, in July 1971. This squadron began its first combat deployment to Vietnam on {{USS|America|CVA-66|2}} 11 months later, soon followed by VAQ-131 on {{USS|Enterprise|CVAN-65|2}} and VAQ-134 on {{USS|Constellation|CVA-64|2}}.<ref>Bowers, Peter M. ''United States Navy Aircraft since 1911''. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1990, p. 274. {{ISBN|0-87021-792-5}}.</ref> Two squadrons of EA-6B Prowlers flew 720 sorties during the Vietnam War in support of US Navy attack aircraft and USAF B-52 bombers.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

During the 1983 [[invasion of Grenada]], four Prowlers supported the operation from {{USS|Independence|CV-62}}.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Grossnick|first=Roy A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMs4L3zDrigC&dq=Grenada+1983+EA-6&pg=PA737|title=United States Naval Aviation, 1910-1995|date=1997|publisher=Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy|isbn=978-0-945274-34-6|pages=737|language=en}}</ref>

Following the [[Achille Lauro hijacking]], on 10 October 1985 Prowlers from {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60}} provided ESM support during the interception of the EgyptAir 737 carrying four of the hijackers.<ref name= "Laur" >{{cite book |title= Encyclopedia of modern us military weapons |first= Timothy M. |last= Laur |publisher= Berkley Trade |date= July 1998 |pages= 63–65 |isbn= 0425164373}}</ref>

Prowlers jammed Libyan radar during [[1986 United States bombing of Libya|Operation El Dorado Canyon]] in April 1986. Prowlers from VAQ-135 on {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65}} jammed Iranian Ground Control Intercept radars, surface-to-air missile guidance radars and communication systems during [[Operation Praying Mantis]] on 18 April 1988.<ref name= "Laur" />

A total of 39 EA-6B Prowlers were involved in [[Operation Desert Storm]] in 1991 with 27 from six aircraft carriers and 12 from USMC bases. During 4,600 flight hours, Prowlers fired over 150 [[AGM-88 HARM]] missiles. Navy Prowlers flew 1,132 sorties and USMC flew 516 with no losses.<ref name= "Laur" />

With the retirement of the [[General Dynamics EF-111 Raven|EF-111 Raven]] in 1998, the EA-6B was the only dedicated aerial radar jammer aircraft of the [[U.S. Armed Forces]], until the fielding of the Navy's [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]] in 2009. The EA-6B was flown in almost all American combat operations from 1972 until its retirement in 2019, and was frequently flown in support of the U.S. Air Force missions.

[[File:EA-6B Prowler takes off from Eielson AFB.jpg|thumb|EA-6B takes off from [[Eielson Air Force Base|Eielson AFB]]. Note the [[gold]] tint of the canopy for protection from [[electromagnetic interference]] and prevents some EM emissions]]
In 2001, 124 Prowlers remained, divided between twelve Navy, four Marine, and four joint Navy-Air Force "Expeditionary" squadrons. A [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] (JCS) staff study recommended that the EF-111 Raven be retired to reduce the types of aircraft dedicated to the same mission, which led to an [[Office of the Secretary of Defense]] (OSD) program memorandum to establish 4 land based "expeditionary" Prowler squadrons to meet the needs of the Air Force.<ref name= "2001Report" >{{cite web |url= http://congressionalresearch.com/RL30639/document.php?study=Electronic+Warfare+EA-6B+Aircraft+Modernization+and+Related+Issues+for+Congress |title= Electronic Warfare: EA-6B Aircraft Modernization and Related Issues for Congress |website= congressionalresearch.com |date= 3 December 2001}}</ref> From 2004 to 2014 the U.S. Air Force augmented Navy Prowler units with Electronic Warfare Officers from the 388th and 390th Electronic Combat Squadrons assigned to the [[366th Operations Group]] at [[Mountain Home AFB]], [[Idaho]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaq136.com/ea6bbases/index.html |title=EA-6B Prowler Bases & Squadrons |website= vaq136.com |date= |access-date= }}</ref>

Though once considered being replaced by [[Common Support Aircraft]], that plan failed to materialize. In 2009, the Navy EA-6B Prowler community began transitioning to the [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]], a new [[electronic warfare]] derivative of the [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]]. All but one of the active duty Navy EA-6B squadrons were based at [[Naval Air Station Whidbey Island]]. VAQ-136 was stationed at [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi]], Japan, as part of [[Carrier Air Wing 5]], the forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) air wing that embarks aboard the Japan-based {{USS|George Washington|CVN-73|2}}. VAQ-209, the [[United States Navy Reserve|Navy Reserve]]'s sole EA-6B squadron, was stationed at [[Andrews Air Force Base|Naval Air Facility Washington]], Maryland. All Marine Corps EA-6B squadrons were located at [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]], [[North Carolina]].

In 2013, the USN planned to fly the EA-6B until 2015, while the USMC expect to phase out the Prowler in March 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.newbernsj.com/news/military/marines-to-assume-ea-6b-prowler-training-1.158547 |title= Marines to assume EA-6B Prowler training |first= Sue |last= Book |newspaper= Sun Journal |location= [[New Bern, North Carolina]] |date= 13 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EA-6B Prowler {{!}} Pacific Coast Air Museum {{!}} Navy Electronic |url=https://pacificcoastairmuseum.org/aircraft/ea-6b-prowler/ |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=Pacific Coast Air Museum |language=en-US}}</ref> The last Navy deployment was on {{USS|George H.W. Bush|CVN-77|2}} in November 2014, with VAQ-134.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://navalforce.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/ea-6b-prowlers-final-prowl/ |title=EA-6B PROWLER's FINAL PROWL |access-date=2014-10-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916121137/http://navalforce.wordpress.com/2014/06/30/ea-6b-prowlers-final-prowl/ |archive-date=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/opinion/282766971.html|title=Saluting an old workhorse, the EA-6B Prowler &#124; Our Viewpoint|newspaper=Whidbey News-Times|date=14 November 2014}}</ref> The last Navy operational flight took place on 27 May 2015.<ref>[http://news.usni.org/2015/05/28/navys-ea-6b-prowler-takes-last-active-duty-flight-before-sunset-ceremony Navy’s EA-6B Prowler Takes Last Active Duty Flight Before Sunset Ceremony] – News.USNI.org, 28 May 2015</ref> NAS Whidbey held a retirement commemoration for the EA-6B from 25 to 27 June 2015 of the EA-6B<ref>[http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=87942 ''Prowler Retires Following 45 Years of Naval Service''], story NNS150630-18 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Hetherington, U.S. Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest, 30 June 2015.</ref>{{Dead link|date=July 2024}} culminating on the last day with the Navy's last operational EA-6B Prowler, bureau number 163890, taking off from NAS Whidbey Island.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2015 |title=Northrop Grumman, US Navy Celebrate Legacy of EA-6B Prowler, Future of Their Electronic Attack Partnership |url=https://investor.northropgrumman.com/news-releases/news-release-details/northrop-grumman-us-navy-celebrate-legacy-ea-6b-prowler-future |access-date=6 July 2024 |website=Northrop Grumman}}</ref>

===Operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria===
[[File:A Prowler lands aboard USS George H.W. Bush..jpg|thumb|left|An EA-6B Prowler lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier [[USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)]].]]

In 2007, it was reported that the Prowler had been used in counter [[improvised explosive device]] operations in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|conflict in Afghanistan]] for several years by jamming remote detonation devices such as garage door openers or cellular telephones.<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,138857,00.html |title=Navy Takes Aim at Roadside Bombs |work=Military.com |publisher=Military Advantage |date=12 June 2007}}</ref> Two Prowler squadrons were also based in Iraq, working with the same mission.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/12/prowler.ap/index.html |title=Planes on the prowl for roadside bombs |date=13 June 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070612180932/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/12/prowler.ap/index.html |archive-date= 12 June 2007}}</ref> According to [[Chuck Pfarrer]] in his book ''SEAL Target Geronimo'', an EA-6B was also used to jam Pakistani radar and assist the 2 [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|MH-60 Black Hawk]] stealth helicopters and 2 Chinook helicopters raiding Osama Bin Laden's compound in [[Death of Osama bin Laden|Operation Neptune Spear]].<ref> "SEAL Target Geronimo: The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama bin Laden". Pfarrer, Chuck. Macmillan, 8 Nov 2011.</ref>

[[File:USMC-100729-M-0381B-008.jpg|thumb|upright|USMC-100729-M-0381B-008]]
[[VMAQ-3]] began flying Prowler missions against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State militants]] over Iraq in June 2014. Once [[Operation Inherent Resolve]] began in August, [[VMAQ-4]] took over. The Prowlers were the first Marine Corps aircraft in Syria and support strike packages, air drops, and electronic warfare requirements against militants. By January 2015, the five aircraft of VMAQ-4 had flown 800 hours during 110 sorties in support of operations in both countries, including supporting [[2014 military intervention against ISIS|coalition airstrikes]] and providing EW support for [[Iraqi Army]] forces to degrade enemy systems. Marine Prowlers had not dropped munitions themselves and host nations basing them have not been revealed.<ref>[http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2015/01/18/as-retirement-approaches-prowlers-still-fight/21834589/ "Marine Prowlers fight Islamic State over Iraq, Syria" ] – MarineCorpstimes.com, 18 January 2014.</ref>

In April 2016, a squadron of EA-6B Prowlers from Marine Corps Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 (VMAQ-4), based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, was deployed to [[Incirlik Air Base]], Turkey for operations over Syria. U.S. European Command confirmed that the deployment was expected to last through September 2016. The [[Center for Strategic and International Studies]] suggested that the Prowlers may be used to prevent Russian and Syrian air defense systems from tracking U.S. and coalition aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/2016/04/14/marine-prowlers-deploy-turkey-fight-against-isis/83033150/ |title=Marine Prowlers deploy to Turkey for fight against ISIS |date=14 April 2016 |newspaper=Marine Corps Times}}</ref>

Prowlers of [[VMAQ-2]] completed their last operational deployment to [[Al Udeid Air Base]], [[Qatar]] in November 2018, and the squadron, the last equipped with the EA-6B, was disbanded on 8 March 2019, with its remaining two Prowlers being reallocated to museums.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Burgess |first=Rick |title=Prowler bows out |magazine=[[Air International]] |date=April 2019 |volume=96 |issue=4 |page=6 |issn=0306-5634}}</ref>

The Marine Corps' four members of VAMQ-2 flew the last EA-6B on its final flight on 14 March 2019 from their station at [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point|Cherry Point]], North Carolina, to the [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Smithsonian |last2=Maksel |first2=Rebecca |title=The Prowler Retires After 48 Years of Electronic Warfare—And No Combat Losses |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/prowlers-last-prowl-180972608/ |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:EA-6B Prowler from VAQ-138.jpg|thumb|upright|An EA-6B Prowler from VAQ-138 carrying two wing mounted jamming pods.]]

The EA-6B Prowler was operated by the U.S. Armed Forces with squadrons in the [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] and [[United States Navy|Navy]].

===USMC squadrons===
VMAQ squadrons operated the EA-6B Prowler.<ref>{{cite web |title=E/A-6B Prowler |publisher=Northrop Grumman |url=http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/products/navy_products/ea6b/ea6b.html |access-date=26 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317094150/http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/products/navy_products/ea6b/ea6b.html |archive-date=17 March 2007}}</ref> Each of the three squadrons operated five aircraft; the squadrons were land-based, although they were capable of operating aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and did so in the past.<ref name= "NHC" >{{cite web |title=EA-6B Prowler |work=Naval Historical Center |publisher=[[United States Department of the Navy]] |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/ea6.htm |access-date=1 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407161253/http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/ea6.htm |archive-date=7 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EA-6B Prowler |publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists]] |url=http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/ea-6b_prowler.htm |work=Intelligence Resource Program |access-date=26 March 2007}}</ref>

In 2013, VMAQ-1 converted from an active to a training squadron as the USN stopped training on the Prowler and switched over to the Growler. The Marine Training squadron first received students for training in October 2013 and produced its first training flights in April 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories/20140415-prowler.html |title=Marine Training Squadron Produces Its First Prowler Crews |last1=Burgess |first1=Richard R. |date=15 April 2014 |website= seapowermagazine.org |publisher=SEAPOWER Magazine |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140416174913/http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories/20140415-prowler.html |archive-date= 16 April 2014 |access-date= 16 April 2014}}</ref>

{| class= "wikitable sortable"
|-
! Squadron Name!! class= "unsortable" |Insignia!! Nickname!! Dates operated!! Senior Command!!Station
|-
|{{center|'''[[VMAQT-1]]'''}}
|{{center|[[File:VMAQ-1 patch.png|45px]]}}
|{{center|''Banshees''}}
|1992–2016
|{{center|[[Marine Aircraft Group 14|MAG-14]], [[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing|2nd MAW]]}}
|{{center|[[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point|MCAS Cherry Point]], [[North Carolina|NC]]<ref name= "VMAQ-1" >{{cite web |title=Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 |publisher=United States Marine Corps |url=http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq1/default.asp |access-date=16 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315123040/http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq1/default.asp |archive-date=15 March 2007}}</ref>}}
|-
|{{center|'''[[VMAQ-2]]'''}}
|{{center|[[File:MCS149.jpg|45px]]}}
|{{center|''Playboys''}}
|1977-2019
|{{center|[[Marine Aircraft Group 14|MAG-14]], [[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing|2nd MAW]]}}
|{{center|MCAS Cherry Point, NC<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 |publisher=United States Marine Corps |url=http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq2/default.asp |access-date=16 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311031753/http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq2/default.asp |archive-date=11 March 2007}}</ref>}}
|-
|{{center|'''[[VMAQ-3]]'''}}
|{{center|[[File:VMAQ-3 insignia.jpg|45px]]}}
|{{center|''Moon Dogs''}}
|1992–2018
|{{center|[[Marine Aircraft Group 14|MAG-14]], [[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing|2nd MAW]]}}
|{{center|MCAS Cherry Point, NC<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 |publisher=United States Marine Corps |url=http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq3/default.asp |access-date=16 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311031737/http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq3/default.asp |archive-date=11 March 2007}}</ref>}}
|-
|{{center|'''[[VMAQ-4]]'''}}
|{{center|[[File:VMAQ4.jpg|50px]]}}
|{{center|''Seahawks''}}
|1981–2017
|{{center|[[Marine Aircraft Group 14|MAG-14]], [[2nd Marine Aircraft Wing|2nd MAW]]}}
|{{center|MCAS Cherry Point, NC<ref>{{cite web |title=Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 |publisher=United States Marine Corps |url=http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq4/default.asp |access-date=16 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315123050/http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG14/vmaq4/default.asp |archive-date=15 March 2007}}</ref>}}
|}

In 2008, the USMC investigated an electronic attack role for the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]] to replace their Prowlers.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.usmc.mil/units/hqmc/pandr/Documents/Concepts/2008/PDF/CP08Ch3P4_Joint_Strike_Fighter_Transition_Plan.pdf |title= Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Transition Plan |website= USMC |date= 15 May 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080515105218/http://www.usmc.mil/units/hqmc/pandr/Documents/Concepts/2008/PDF/CP08Ch3P4_Joint_Strike_Fighter_Transition_Plan.pdf |archive-date= 15 May 2008}}</ref> The Marines began retiring the EA-6 in 2016 and replaced them with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Electronic Warfare (MAGTF-EW) concept, which calls for a medium to high-altitude long-endurance [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] to off-load at least some of the electronic warfare mission.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-marines-in-market-for-reaper-sized-uas-406099/ US Marines in market for Reaper-sized UAS] – Flightglobal.com, 14 November 2014</ref>

In November 2018, VMAQ-2 returned from performing the final deployed operations of USMC Prowlers. The Marines retired the aircraft on 8 March 2019, with some placed in storage and on static display at the [[Smithsonian Institution]] [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]] of the [[National Air and Space Museum]] in [[Chantilly, Virginia]] and the [[Frontiers of Flight Museum]] at [[Dallas Love Field]].<ref>[https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/03/08/the-saltiest-warfighter-in-the-marine-corps-the-ea-6b-prowler-retires/]. "EA-6B Prowler, one of the saltiest warfighters in the Marine Corps, retires".</ref><ref name= ":0" />

===USN squadrons===
While in U.S. Navy service four EA-6B Prowlers were typically assigned to a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron. These Navy Electronic Attack squadrons carried the letters VAQ (V-fixed wing, A-attack, Q-electronic); most of these squadrons were [[Aircraft carrier|carrier]]-based, while others were "expeditionary" and deployed to overseas land bases.<ref name=US_Navy_fact_file>{{cite web |title=EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft |work=USN Fact File |publisher=United States Navy |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=900&ct=1 |date=5 February 2009 |access-date=24 August 2015 |archive-date=12 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912005148/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=900&ct=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class= "wikitable sortable" style= "text-align:center; font-size:100%;"
! Squadron Name!! class= "unsortable" | Insignia!! Nickname!! Dates Operated!! Carrier air wing!! Station!! Notes
|-
| '''[[VAQ-129]]''' || [[File:VAQ-129 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Vikings'' || 1971–2015 || [[Fleet Replacement Squadron]] || [[Naval Air Station Whidbey Island|NAS Whidbey Island]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq-129.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |title=VAQ-129 Vikings |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=6 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805220455/http://vaq-129.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |archive-date=5 August 2008}}</ref> || Trained both Marine, Air Force, and Navy crews <br />in the EA-6B and the [[EA-18G]]
|-
| '''[[VAQ-130]]''' || [[File:VAQ-130 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Zappers'' || 1975–2011 || [[CVW-3]] || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vaq130.navy.mil/history/history.htm |title=History – Electronic Attack Squadron 130 |work= Electronic Attack Squadron 130 |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=23 June 2012}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-131]]''' || [[File:VAQ-131 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Lancers'' || 1971–2015 || [[CVW-2]] || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vaq131.navy.mil/ |title=VAQ-131 Lancers Command History |work=VAQ-131 Lancers |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=1 January 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080717061754/http://vaq131.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/lancer_home_page.htm |archive-date= 17 July 2008}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-132]]''' || [[File:VAQ-132 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Scorpions'' || 1971–2009 || [[CVW-17]]|| NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Electronic-Attack-Squadron-VAQ-132/ |title=VAQ-132 Scorpions official website |work=VAQ-132 Scorpions |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-133]]''' || [[File:VAQ-133 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Wizards'' || 1971–2014|| [[CVW-9]] || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vaq133.navy.mil/ |title=VAQ-133 official website |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=13 December 2015 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705180015/http://www.vaq133.navy.mil/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-134]]''' || [[File:VAQ-134 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Garudas'' ||1972–2015 || CVW-8 || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq-134.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |title=VAQ-134 official website |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=6 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810002627/http://vaq-134.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |archive-date=10 August 2008}}</ref> ||EA-6B replaced by EA-18G.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories/20140811-vaq.html |title=Navy Delays Formation of Expeditionary EA-18G Squadron |author=BURGESS, RICHARD |date=25 October 2014 |website= Seapowermagazine.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025103945/http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories/20140811-vaq.html |archive-date=25 October 2014}}</ref>
|-
| '''[[VAQ-135]]''' || [[File:VAQ-135 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Black Ravens'' || 1973–2010 || || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq135.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |title=VAQ-135 official website |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=6 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221030314/http://vaq135.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |archive-date=21 December 2008}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-136]]''' || [[File:VAQ-136 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Gauntlets'' || 1973–2012 || || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenorthwestnavigator.com/news/2012/mar/02/gauntlets-transition-begins/ |title=Northwest Navigator |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=3 July 2012}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-137]]''' || [[File:VAQ-137 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Rooks'' || 1973–2012 || [[CVW-1]] || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq137.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |title=VAQ-137 official website |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=6 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008112518/http://vaq137.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |archive-date=8 October 2008}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-138]]''' || [[File:VAQ-138 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Yellow Jackets'' || 1976–2009 || || N/A<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq138.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |title=VAQ-138 official website |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=11 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220212133/http://vaq138.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ |archive-date=20 February 2011}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-139]]''' || [[File:VAQ-139 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Cougars'' || 1983–2011 || [[CVW-17]] || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq-139.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/|title=VAQ-139 official website|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=6 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921214012/http://vaq-139.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/|archive-date=21 September 2008}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-140]]''' || [[File:VAQ-140 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Patriots'' || 1985–2014|| [[CVW-7]] || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq140.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/|title=VAQ-140 official website|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=6 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301034717/http://vaq140.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/|archive-date=1 March 2009}}</ref> || EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-141]]''' || [[File:VAQ-141 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Shadowhawks'' || 1987–2009|| [[CVW-5]] || Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Japan/NewsAndCurrentInfo/PressReleases/CNICP_A283918/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016222319/https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Japan/NewsAndCurrentInfo/PressReleases/CNICP_A283918 |title=EA-18G Growlers to replace EA-6B Prowlers |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=18 February 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2012 |date=3 February 2012}}</ref>||EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-142]]''' || [[File:VAQ-142 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Gray Wolves'' || 1997–2015 || [[CVW-11]] || NAS Whidbey Island<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vaq-142.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/|title=VAQ-142 official website|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=6 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010154509/http://vaq-142.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/|archive-date=10 October 2008}}</ref> ||EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|-
| '''[[VAQ-209]]''' || [[File:VAQ-209 Emblem.svg|40px]] || ''Star Warriors'' || 1977–2013 || Reserve [[Tactical Support Wing]] ||NAS Whidbey Island||EA-6B replaced by EA-18G
|}

====Disestablished Squadrons====
'''[[VAQ-128]]''': Established as an expeditionary squadron in October 1997, utilizing the insignia and heritage of the former [[A-6 Intruder]] Fleet Replacement Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island. Disestablished in September 2004 due to budget reductions.

'''[[VAQ-309]]''': Established as a Naval Air Reserve Force squadron at NAS Whidbey Island in 1979 with EA-6A aircraft, transitioning to the EA-6B in 1989 as part of Carrier Air Wing Reserve THIRTY (CVWR-30). Disestablished on 31 Dec 1994 following the decommissioning of CVWR-30 due to budget cuts; aircraft returned to the Regular Navy.

==Notable accidents==
While no Prowler has ever been lost in combat, nearly fifty of the 170 built were destroyed in various accidents as of 2013.<ref>49 losses from 1971 to 2013 by manual count from a list of bureau numbers with dates.</ref> In 1998, a memorial at [[Naval Air Station Whidbey Island]] was dedicated to 44 crew members lost in EA-6B aircraft accidents.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ed |last=Offley |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64598602.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516211725/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64598602.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 May 2011 |title=Memorial honors 44 EA-6B Prowler crewmen |date=28 August 1998}}</ref>
* On 26 May 1981, a USMC EA-6B crashed onto the flight deck of {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|2}} and caused a fire, killing 14 crewmen and injuring 45 others.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=United States Navy |first=Ahron |last=Arendes |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=7637 |title=Nimitz Remembers Lives Lost During 1981 Flight Deck Crash |work=USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Navy NewsStand |date=29 May 2003 |access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229164735/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=7637 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Kurt|author2=Beaty, Jonathan |title=Night of Flaming Terror|work=TIME in partnership with CNN |publisher=Time |date=8 June 1981 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922544-1,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201133400/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922544-1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 February 2009 |access-date=2 October 2008}}</ref> The Prowler was running out of fuel after a missed approach ( "bolter" in Navy parlance), and its crash and the subsequent fire and explosions destroyed or damaged 19 other aircraft.<ref name= "USS Nimitz crash" >{{cite web|title=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 77226|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=77226|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= Military Aviation Disasters |last= Gero |first= David |year= 1999 |publisher= Haynes |location= Yeovil |isbn= 1-85260-574-X |pages= [https://archive.org/details/militaryaviation0000gero/page/131 131–132] |url= https://archive.org/details/militaryaviation0000gero/page/131 }}</ref>
* On 3 November 1992 a US Navy EA-6B Prowler (161776,P99 First lCAP ll) from VAQ 129 crashed after takeoff outside of Naval Air Facility, El Centro killing all three crew members aboard; Crew included Capt. Peter Limoge (USMC), LT. Charles Gurley (USN), LT. Dave Roberts (USN). Los Angeles Times 11/5/1992{{Full citation needed|date=May 2021}}
* On 3 February 1998, a USMC EA-6B Prowler, BuNo 163045, from [[VMAQ-2]] [[Cavalese cable car disaster (1998)|struck the cables of a cablecar system]] in [[Cavalese]], Italy. The crew broke rules to fly low at high speed in mountainous terrain, cut the cables and caused the death of 20 people. The aircraft also suffered severe damage to its vertical stabiliser and wings as a result of striking the cable, but was landed successfully at [[Aviano Air Base]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/18/world/death-in-the-alps-a-special-report-how-wayward-us-pilot-killed-20-on-ski-lift.html?pagewanted=all|title=DEATH IN THE ALPS: A special report.; How Wayward U.S. Pilot Killed 20 on Ski Lift|newspaper=The New York Times|date=18 February 1998}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/53428.stm|title=BBC News &#124; World &#124; Italian outrage over cable car tragedy}}</ref>
* On 8 November 1998, a USN EA-6B landed on a [[Lockheed S-3 Viking]] during night landing qualifications on {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|2}}; four crew members were killed.<ref>{{cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01EFDD1E3EF933A25752C1A96E958260 |title=Navy Flying Accident Leaves at Least 1 Dead |date=10 November 1998}}</ref><ref>[https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/ship-command-operation-reports/e/enterprise-cvn-65-viii/pdf/1998.pdf "COMMAND HISTORY UNITED STATES SHIP ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) 1 JANUARY – 31 DECEMBER 1998" ], p. 3. U.S. Navy</ref>
*On 11 March 2013, a USN EA-6B of Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-129 in Washington State, crashed during a training exercise. LTJG Valerie Cappelaere Delaney (Pilot), LTJG William Brown McIlvaine III (Flight Officer), and LCDR Alan A. Patterson (Instructor and Flight Officer) were killed.<ref>{{cite web|title=ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 153967|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/153967|website=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=20 September 2021}}</ref> A year later, an investigation determined that the Prowler experienced a [[controlled flight into terrain]] that was due to pilot error.<ref>{{Cite news |work=KBPS Broadcasting |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/mar/12/navy-jet-crash-killed-3-caused-pilot-error/ |title=Report: Deadly Navy Jet Crash Caused By Pilot Error |date= 12 March 2014}}</ref>

== Variants ==

* '''EA-6A:''' Two early production A-6As converted to EA-6As as prototypes. Total of 25 EA-6As were built, including 10 conversions of A-6As and 15 production EA-6As.<ref name=AirVectors_EA-6>[http://www.airvectors.net/ava6.html ]</ref>
* '''EA-6B:''' Three A-6As converted as initial prototypes. Total of 170 EA-6Bs were built.<ref name=AirVectors_EA-6/>

==Aircraft on display==
===Japan===
* 160786 – EA-6B on static display at [[Naval Air Facility Atsugi]] in [[Yamato, Kanagawa]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier – Grumman EA-6B Prowler, s/n 160786 USN, c/n P-73 |url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=151859 |website=Aerial Visuals |publisher=AerialVisuals.ca |access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>

===United States===
[[File:EA-6B Pax River Museum Front View 2.jpg|thumb|right|An EA-6B on display at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum]]
[[File:EA-6B Prowler Tinker AFB.jpg|thumb|right|An EA-6B Prowler on display at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City]]

* 147865 – EA-6A on static display at [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]] in [[Havelock, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Grumman EA-6A Intruder, s/n 147865 USN, c/n 2|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=40018|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 148618 – EA-6A on static display at [[Naval Air Station Key West]] in [[Big Coppitt Key, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – GrummanA-6 Intruder / EA-6 Prowler, s/n 148618 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=15171|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 149475 – EA-6A on static display at the Wisconsin National Guard Memorial Library and Museum at [[Volk Field Air National Guard Base]] in [[Camp Douglas, Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – GrummanA-6 Intruder / EA-6 Prowler, s/n 149475 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=6200|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 156481 – EA-6B on static display at the [[National Naval Aviation Museum]] in [[Pensacola, Florida]].<ref name= ":1" />
* 156478 – EA-6B on static display at [[Naval Air Station Whidbey Island]] in [[Oak Harbor, Washington]].<ref name= "VAQ136" />
* 156984 – EA-6A on static display at the Warner Museum of Aviation and Transportation in [[Sioux City, Iowa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – GrummanA-6 Intruder / EA-6 Prowler, s/n 156984 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=74942|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 158029 – EA-6B on static display at [[Naval Air Station Patuxent River]] in [[Lexington Park, Maryland]].<ref name= "VAQ136" /><ref>{{cite web|title=EA-6B PROWLERS ON DISPLAY|url=http://www.ea6bprowler.org/onpublicdisplay|website=Prowler Association|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 158033 – EA-6B on static display at [[Patuxent River Naval Air Museum]] in Lexington Park, Maryland.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Shrum|first1=Joy|title=New aircraft on the 'prowl' at Patuxent River Air Museum|url=http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1217/new-aircraft-on-the-prowl-at-patuxent-river-air-museum.html|access-date=2 April 2018|work=TheBayNet.com|date=2 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Grumman EA-6B Prowler, s/n 158033 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=7617|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>
* 158034 – EA-6B on static display at Charles B. Hall Airpark at [[Tinker Air Force Base]] in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]].<ref name= "VAQ136" />
* 158036 – EA-6B on static display at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Washington.<ref name= "VAQ136" />
* 158542 ''FrankenProwler'' – EA-6B on static display at the [[Pima Air & Space Museum]] in [[Tucson, Arizona]]. Three different ADVCAP airframes were assembled to create this one airframe.<ref name= "VAQ136" >{{cite web|title=EA-6B Prowlers on Display|url=http://www.vaq136.com/ea6bbases/display.html|website=VAQ136.com|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref><ref name= "FrankenProwler" />
* 158810 – EA-6B on static display at [[Naval Air Station Fallon]] in [[Fallon, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Grumman EA-6B-45-GR Prowler, s/n 158810 USMC, c/n P40|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=136727|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 158811 – EA-6B on static display at the [[Pacific Coast Air Museum]] in [[Santa Rosa, California]].<ref>{{cite news|title=EA-6B Prowler|url=http://pacificcoastairmuseum.org/aircraft/ea-6b-prowler|website=Pacific Coast Air Museum|publisher=Pacific Coast Air Museum|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 160432 – EA-6B on static display at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, North Carolina.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
* 160436 – EA-6B on static display at the [[Castle Air Museum]] in [[Atwater, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Collection|url=https://www.castleairmuseum.org/collection|website=Castle Air Museum|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Grumman EA-6B Prowler, s/n 160436 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=182015|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 160609 – EA-6B on static display at [[Naval Air Station Jacksonville]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]].<ref name= "VAQ136" />
* 161882 – EA-6B on static display at the [[March Field Air Museum]] in [[Riverside, California]]. Formerly on display at the [[Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum]] in [[San Diego, California]].<ref name= "VAQ136" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marchfield.org/aircraft/attack/ea-6b-prowler-northrop-grumman/|website=March Field Air Museum|access-date=7 March 2024 |title=March Field Air Museum in Riverside, CA - EA-6B Prowler, Northrop Grumman }}</ref>
* 161884 – EA-6B on static display at the [[Museum of Flight]] in [[Seattle, Washington]]. It is on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grumman EA-6B Prowler|url=http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/Grumman-EA-6B-Prowler|website=The Museum of Flight|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
*162228 – EA-6B on static display at the [[Frontiers of Flight Museum]] at [[Dallas Love Field]] in [[Dallas|Dallas, Texas]]. This aircraft along with 162230 participated in the decommissioning of VMAQ-2 in March, 2019.<ref name= ":0" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightmuseum.com/ea-6b-prowler-party/|title=EA-6B Prowler Party|date=2019-03-21|website=Frontiers of Flight Museum|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref>
*162230 – EA-6B on static display at the [[Smithsonian Institution]]'s [[Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center]] in [[Chantilly, Virginia]]. This aircraft along with 162228 participated in the decommissioning of VMAQ-2 in March, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vmaqmonument.org/news/f/aircraft-162230-on-display-at-the-smithsonians-udvar-hazy-center|title=Aircraft 162230 on display at the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center|website=VMAQ Monument Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref><ref name= ":0" />
* 162935 – EA-6B on static display at the [[USS Midway Museum]] in [[San Diego, California]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Aircraft Onboard|url=http://midwaysaircraft.org/status_a.htm|website=Midway's Aircraft|access-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705140216/http://midwaysaircraft.org/status_a.htm|archive-date=5 July 2017|date=8 March 2016}}</ref>
* 162938 – EA-6B on static display at the [[American Airpower Museum]] in [[Farmingdale, New York]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Grumman EA-6B "Prowler" |url=http://americanairpowermuseum.com/2013/01/01/grumman-ea-6b-prowler|website=American Airpower Museum|access-date=11 August 2017|date=1 January 2013|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811104109/http://americanairpowermuseum.com/2013/01/01/grumman-ea-6b-prowler|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name= "VAQ136" />
* 163033 – EA-6B on static display at the [[Hickory Aviation Museum]] in [[Hickory, North Carolina]]. It flew to the museum from [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Northrop Grumman EA-6B "Prowler" |url=http://nebula.wsimg.com/5e34671bc6a65f9b09a864c62bbc3570?AccessKeyId=2158F2CB6BFA6619063B&disposition=0|website=Hickory Aviation Museum|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref>
* 163047 – EA-6B on static display at the [[MAPS Air Museum]] in [[Canton, Ohio]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-12-18 |title=Northrop Grumman EA-6B "Prowler" - MAPS Air Museum |url=https://mapsairmuseum.org/northrop-grumman-ea-6b-prowler/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* 163395 – EA-6B on static display at the [[United States Naval Academy]] in [[Annapolis, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Naval+Academy+Observatory/@38.9869729,-76.492592,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipOn--BivgmvkBh3ucH1_rJxGyeEBL5ng8iWtO9Z!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipOn--BivgmvkBh3ucH1_rJxGyeEBL5ng8iWtO9Z%3Dw203-h360-k-no!7i2988!8i5312!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sea-6b+prowler!3m4!1s0x89b7f652c9affb7f:0xc1f0cc74b470092!8m2!3d38.9869728!4d-76.4925919|access-date=16 October 2019}}</ref>
* 163886 – EA-6B on static display at the [[Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum]] in [[Denver, Colorado]].<ref>{{cite web|title=EA-6B Prowler|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/portfolio/ea-6b-prowler-2|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|date=4 November 2016|access-date=11 August 2017}}</ref><ref name= "VAQ136" />
* 163890 – EA-6B on static display at [[Naval Base Ventura County]] in [[Camarillo, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=NAWCWD Public Affairs |date=July 12, 2015 |title=NAVAIR |url=https://www.navair.navy.mil/node/22621}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pt Mugu Spotters on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkPRJc0JcqF/ |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=Instagram |language=en}}</ref>
* 164401 – EA-6B on static display at [[Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division|Naval Support Activity Crane]] in [[Crane, Indiana]].<ref name= "VAQ136" />

==Specifications (EA-6B)==
[[File:Grumman EA-6B Prowler 3-view line drawing.png|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Grumman EA-6B Prowler]]
[[File:EA-6B Prowlers supporting Northern Watch.jpg|thumb|Two EA-6B Prowlers over [[Turkey]] flying in support of [[Operation Northern Watch]], 2002.]]
[[File:EA-6B Prowler supporting Joint Endeavor from CVN-73.jpg|thumb|An EA-6B of VAQ-140 "Patriots" patrols the skies over [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], 1995.]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=US Navy Fact File,<ref name=US_Navy_fact_file/> US Navy history page<ref name= "NHC" />
|prime units?=kts
<!-- General characteristics
-->
|crew=4 (one pilot, three electronic countermeasures officers)
|length ft=59
|length in=10
|length note=
|span ft=53
|span in=
|span note=
|height ft=16
|height in=8
|height note=
|wing area sqft=528.9
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=<!--'''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA ]]<ref name= "Selig" >{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>-->
|empty weight lb=31160
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=61500
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!-- Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 name= [[Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408A]]
|eng1 type=[[turbojet]] engines
|eng1 lbf=10400
|eng1 note=
<!-- Performance
-->
|max speed kts=566
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kts=418
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range nmi=2022
|range note=(tanks kept)
::::{{cvt|2400|mi|nmi km}} (tanks dropped)
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=37600
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ftmin=12900
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=116
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|thrust/weight=0.34

|more performance=
<!-- Armament
-->
|guns=
|hardpoints=5 total: 1× centerline/under-fuselage plus 4× under-wing pylon stations
|hardpoint capacity= {{convert|18000|lb|lk=on|sigfig=2}}
|hardpoint missiles=Up to 4× [[AGM-88 HARM]] [[Anti-radiation missile]]s (typically 2x carried)
|hardpoint other=<br />
*** Up to 5× {{convert|300|gal|L|lk=on}} external [[drop tank]]s
*** Up to 5× [[AN/ALQ-99]] Tactical Jamming System (TJS) external pods
*** AN/ALE-43(V)1&4 Bulk Chaff Dispensing System pod
*** AN/AAQ-28(V) [[Litening]] targeting pod (USMC only)
|avionics=
* [[AN/ALQ-218]] Tactical Jamming System Receiver
* AN/USQ-113 Communications Jamming System
<!--The above is from Navy Fact File. I was going to add the rest this stuff, but it looks like a bit much. I'm sure the lower numbers must be older equipment and I'm not sure exactly which ones are currently installed on the EA-6B or even if each EA-6B has the same avionics suite. The info below comes mostly from http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/jetds/an-alq2aly.html etc.
* ALQ-41 X-Band trackbreaker ECM
* ALQ-100 E/F/G/H-Band Track-Breaker / ALQ-126 Noise Deception Jammer – this was an installed option in the ICAP-II although there were weights in place of the hardware for weight and balance
* ALQ-149 communications jamming system
* ALQ-169 OWL-D Electro-Optic Countermeasures
* ALQ-190 Airborne Chaff
* ALQ-218 Electronic Warfare Receiver (EA-6B ICAP III)
* ALR-42 System Integration Receiver
* ALR-45 2–18 GHz Radar Warning Receiver
* ALR-52 Instananeous Frequency Measuring Receiver
* ALT-28 Noise Jammer
* ALE-29 Chaff & Flare Dispenser
* ALE-39 Chaff & Flare Dispenser
* ALE-41 High-Capacity Bulk Chaff Dispenser
* ALE-43 Chaff Cutter & Dispenser Pod
* AYK-14 Standard Airborne General Purpose Digital Computer -->
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Grumman A-6 Intruder]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Boeing EA-18G Growler]]
* [[General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven]]
|lists=
* [[List of active United States military aircraft]]
* [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
* Donald, David ed. "Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler", ''Warplanes of the Fleet''. AIRtime, 2004. {{ISBN|1-880588-81-1}}.
* Miska, Kurt H. "Grumman A-6A/E Intruder; EA-6A; EA6B Prowler (Aircraft in Profile number 252)". ''Aircraft in Profile, Volume 14''. Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications Ltd., 1974, p.&nbsp;137–160. {{ISBN|0-85383-023-1}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Grumman EA-6 Prowler}}
* [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=900&ct=1 EA-6B Prowler Fact File] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912005148/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=900&ct=1 |date=12 September 2007 }} and [https://web.archive.org/web/20070407161253/http://www.history.navy.mil/planes/ea6.htm EA-6B history on Navy.mil]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171210175725/http://www.avsafe.com/ASCUR.HTM EA-6B Gondola Mishap, Cavalese, Italy, 3 February 1998], Aviation Safety Consulting Services,
* [http://www.airvectors.net/ava6.html The Grumman A-6 Intruder & EA-6B Prowler (airvectors.net)]

{{Grumman aircraft}}
{{USAF attack aircraft}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Grumman aircraft|EA-006B Prowler]]
[[Category:1960s United States electronic warfare aircraft]]
[[Category:Twinjets]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Northrop Grumman aircraft|EA-006B Prowler]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1968]]
[[Category:Electronic countermeasures]]