MAPS newly acquired EA-6B Prowler comes to us on an indefinite loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  The Prowler was developed from the A-6 Intruder.

Specifications & Performance:

  • Crew: 4 (1 pilot, 3 electronic)
  • Role: Electronic warfare/Attack
  • Nation of Origin: United States
  • Manufacturer: Norththrop Grumman
  • First Flight: May 25, 1968
  • Entered Service: July 1971
  • Retired in the United States: Navy 2015, Marines 2019
  • Number Built: 170
  • Unit Cost (U.S.): $2.4 million (1965)
  • Engine: (2) non-afterburning Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408A turbjets
  • Length: 59 ft 10
  • Wingspan: 53 ft
  • Height: 16 ft 8 in
  • Max Weight: 61,500 lb
  • Max speed: 651 mph
  • Range: 1,750 miles
  • Service ceiling: 37,600 ft.

Armament, (up to):

  • 4x AGM-88 HARM Anti-radiation missiles
  • 5x 300 US gallon external drop tanks
  • 5x AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS) external pods
  • AN/ALE-43(V) 1&4 Bluk Chaff Dispensing System pod
  • AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening targeting pod (USMC only)

Avionics:

  • AN/ALQ-218 Tactial Jamming System Receiver
  • AN/USQ-113 Communications Jamming System

 

Marines deployed with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 pose for a group photo on the ramp at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 16, 2018. Marines with VMAQ-2 are taking part in the final EA-6B Prowler deployment before the final six aircraft in the U.S. military inventory are retired. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jose Diaz/Released).  Our aircraft, serial #163047 is one of these aircraft.

This aircraft, serial # 163047, had served on the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Independence, plus many other carriers and land based facilities.  Below you can see this aircraft’s History: 

Service History for Grumman EA-6B, BuNo 163047
Compiled by Ben Kristy, 18 Dec 2018; AIRRS Service History & www.gonavy.jp

8 June 2017 – 26 November 2018 VMAQ-2 MCAS Cherry Point

  • Al Udied AB, Qatar; 28 March – Nov 19 2018; MODEX: CY 05
  • Incirlik AB, Turkey; Oct 2017 – April 2018; MODEX: CY 05

27 Nov 2013 – 8 June 2017 VMAQ-4 MCAS Cherry Point

  • Al Udied AB, Qatar; Aug 2014 – Feb 2015; MODEX: RM 007
  • Incirlik AB, Turkey; April – Oct 2016; MODEX: RM 007

3 Sept 2013 – 27 Nov 2013 VAQ-142 NAS Jacksonville
1 Aug – 3 Sept 2013 VMAQ-4 NAS Jacksonville
Mar 7 2012 – 1 Aug 2013 VAQ-142 NAS Jacksonville
25 Oct 2011 – 7 March 2012 VAQ-142 NAS Whidbey Island
12 Feb 2009 – 25 Oct 2011 VAQ-139

  • abd USS Ronald Reagan, 2 Feb – 9 Sept 2011; JTFEX, WestPAC, CENTOM AOR; MODEX: 503
  • abd USS Ronald Reagan, 2 June – 8 Aug 2010; off coast of Canada, TSTA, RIMPAC
  • NAS Whidbey Island, 23 Nov 2009 – 17 June 2010
  • abd USS Ronald Reagan, NAS San Diego,  3 Oct – 23 Nov 2009
  • NAS Whidbey Island, 12 Feb – 3 Oct 2009

16 Feb 2006 – 12 Feb 2009 VAQ-137

  • Likely Deployment in Feb-April 2006, possible abd USS Enterprise
  • abd USS Enterprise; Med, Mid-East (OIF), 7 July – 19 Dec 2007; MODEX: 501
  • NAS Whidbey Island, 14 Jan 2008 – 12 Feb 2009

29 Aug 2002 – 16 Feb 2009 VAQ-129 NAS Whidbey Island
25 July 2001 – 29 Aug 2002 VAQ-130
12 July 1999 – 25 July 2001 VAQ-129 NAS Whidbey Island

  • abd USS George Washington (Med, Persian Gulf); 21 June –

19 Dec 2000
13 April – 12 July 1999 VAQ-138
20 June 1998 – 13 April 1999 VAQ-132

  • abd USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (unconfirmed 20 June – 10 Dec 1998)

30 Oct 1997 – 20 June 1998 VAQ-128
4 July 1995 – 30 Oct 1997 VAQ-129 NAS Whidbey Island
10 Aug 1991 – 4 July 1995 VAQ-136 NAF Atsugi (10 Aug 1991 – 11 Sept 1991)

  • abd USS Independence  (Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan)
  • (Sept 1991 – Dec 1991, MODEX: 623) Deployed 15 Oct – 24
  • Nov: WestPac, Sea of Japan
  • (Jan 1992 – Dec 1992, MODEX: 623) Deployed 15 April – 12 Oct: WestPac, Persian Gulf
  • (Jan 1993 – Dec 1993, MODEX: 623) Deployed 15 Feb – 25 March: WestPac, Sea of Japan
  • (Jan 1993 – 29 Dec 1994, MODEX: 623) Deployed 11 May – 1 July: WestPac; Deployed 17 Nov 1993 – 17 March 1994: WestPac, Persian Gulf; Deployed 19 July – 29 Aug 1994: WestPac, Sea of Japan

13 March – 4 June 1991 VAQ-139
Jan 1989 – 11 June 1990VAQ-142
9 June 1988 – 11 Jan 1989VAQ-129
27 May – 9 June 1988VAQ-141

 

Additional Information on the history of the EA-6B Prowler from Wiki or visit MAPS Air Museum!