The Future of Marine Electronic Warfare
Abstract
By providing electronic warfare for not only the Marine Corps and Navy, but for all branches of service, the EA-6B "Prowler" has withstood the test of time. However, because EA-6B is the only tactical radar and communications jamming aircraft of its kind, it has become apparent that a replacement is needed for the aging EA-6B fleet. The Navy has already established a replacement aircraft for the Prowler, the E/A-18G Growler, and production and testing is already underway. The Marine Corps is looking beyond the Growler and further into the future with the electronic warfare variant of the F-35 Short Take-Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Meanwhile, while the Marine Corps is waiting for the electronic warfare variant of the JSF, the service life of the Prowler is going to expire. Because of the research and development that the Navy has already put into the Growler and to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities (weaponry, electronics suite, supersonic ability) it will bring to the fight, the Marine Corps should follow the Navy's lead and field the E/A-18G as a replacement for the soon-to-be outdated Prowlers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA504308
Entities
People
- M. D. Williams
Organizations
- Marine Corps University