View source for General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven

{{short description|Electronic warfare aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
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{{Infobox aircraft
| name = EF-111A Raven
| image = File:EF-111A Raven.jpg
| caption = An EF-111A Raven electronic warfare aircraft
| type = [[Electronic warfare]]
| manufacturer = [[General Dynamics]], conversion by [[Grumman]]
| designer =
| first_flight = 10 March 1977
| introduction = 1983
| retired = 1998
| number_built = 42
| status = Retired
| primary_user = [[United States Air Force]]
| more_users =
| unit cost = US$15 million, plus $25 million each for conversion<ref name="GlobalSecurity1" />
| developed_from = [[General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark]]
| variants =
}}
The '''General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven''' is a retired [[electronic-warfare aircraft]] designed to replace the [[Douglas B-66 Destroyer|EB-66 Destroyer]] in the [[United States Air Force]]. Its crews and maintainers often called it the "Spark-Vark", a play on the F-111's "Aardvark" nickname.
The USAF contracted with [[Grumman]] in 1974 to convert some existing [[General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark|General Dynamics F-111As]] into [[electronic warfare]]/[[electronic countermeasure]]s (ECM) aircraft.{{refn|Development of the EF-111A Raven ["Spark Varks"] began in 1974 when the Air Force awarded electronic warfare study contracts to Grumman and General Dynamics in January 1974.<ref name=Thornb_Davies_p85>Thornborough and Davies 1989, p. 85.</ref>|group=N}}  The USAF had considered the [[United States Navy|Navy]] / [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler|Grumman EA-6B Prowler]], but desired a penetrating aircraft with supersonic speed.  The EF-111 entered service in 1983 and served until its retirement in 1998.
==Design and development==
In the late 1960s, the U.S. Air Force sought to replace its aging [[Douglas B-66 Destroyer#Variants|EB-66]] and [[Martin B-57 Canberra#Reconnaissance B-57s|EB-57]] [[electronic warfare]] aircraft. The Air Force studied the use of Navy [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler|EA-6B Prowlers]] during 1967–1968.<ref name=Gunston_p55>Gunston 1983, p. 55.</ref> However, the Air Force desired a penetrating electronic jamming aircraft with supersonic speed,<ref name=Thornb_Davies_p85/><ref name=Gunston_p55/> and, in 1972, decided to modify F-111As into electronic warfare aircraft as a cost-effective option.<ref name=Logan_p89>Logan 1998, p. 89.</ref>
In January 1974, the Air Force awarded electronic warfare study contracts to [[Grumman]] and [[General Dynamics]].<ref name="Thornb_Davies_p85"/> Grumman was selected as the EF-111 prime contractor in December 1974, then was awarded a contract to modify two F-111As into EF-111 prototypes in January 1975.<ref name=Logan_p89/> The first fully equipped model, known then as the "Electric Fox", flew on 10 March 1977. A total of 42 airframes were converted at a total cost of US$1.5 billion. The first EF-111s were deployed in November 1981 to the 388th Tactical Electronic Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.<ref name=FASweb>{{cite web |title=F-111 |url=http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-111.htm |publisher=Federation of American Scientists |date=24 December 1998 |access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> The last was delivered in 1985.<ref name="GlobalSecurity1">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ef-111a.htm "EF-111A Raven."] ''GlobalSecurity.org,'' 27 April 2005. Retrieved:1 April 2009.</ref>
[[File:EF-111A and F-111F in flight.jpg|thumb|An EF-111A Raven in the foreground with a tail-mounted receiving pod and an underside-mounted transmitting pod, accompanied by an F-111F]]
The Raven retained the F-111A's navigation systems, with a revised AN/APQ-160 radar primarily for ground mapping. The primary feature of the Raven, however, was the [[AN/ALQ-99]]E jamming system, developed from the Navy's ALQ-99 on the Prowler. The aircraft also utilized the ALR-62 Countermeasures Receiving System (CRS) as a Radar Homing and Warning (RHAW) System, the same system carried by all F-111 fighter/bomber models in the United States and Australia.  The ALQ-99E primary electronics were installed in the weapons bay, with transmitters fitted in a {{convert|16|ft}} long ventral "canoe" [[radome]]; the complete installation weighed some {{convert|6000|lb|kg}}. Receivers were installed in a fin-tip pod, or "football", similar to that of the EA-6B. The aircraft's electrical and cooling systems had to be extensively upgraded to support this equipment. The cockpit was also rearranged, with all flight and navigation displays relocated to the pilot's side, and flight controls except throttles being removed from the other seat, where the electronic warfare officer's instrumentation and controls were installed.
The EF-111 was unarmed. Its speed and acceleration were its main means of self-defense. It was not capable of firing [[anti-radiation missile]]s in the [[Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses]] (SEAD) role, which was a tactical limitation. The Raven's engines were upgraded to the more powerful TF30-P-9 of the D-model, with {{convert|12000|lbf|kN}} dry and {{convert|19600|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} afterburning thrust<ref>Logan 1998, pp. 17, 92, 303.</ref> in 1986.<ref name="Baug_EF-111A">Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f111_3.html "Grumman EF-111A Raven".] ''USAAC/USAAF/USAF Fighters'', 20 December 1999.</ref> From 1987 to 1994 the "Spark 'Vark" underwent an Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), similar to the Pacer Strike program for the F-model. This added a dual AN/ASN-41 [[ring laser gyroscope]] INS, AN/APN-218 [[Doppler radar]], and an updated AN/APQ-146 terrain-following radar. Cockpit displays were upgraded with multi-function displays.
==Operational history==
[[File:Deny Flight EF-111.jpg|thumb|An EF-111 flies over the [[Alps]] during [[Operation Deny Flight]]]]
The EF-111A achieved initial operational capability in 1983.<ref>Gunston 1983, p. 59.</ref> The EF-111A received the official popular name Raven, although in service it acquired the nickname "Spark 'Vark".  EF-111s first saw combat use with the [[20th Fighter Wing|20th Tactical Fighter Wing]] at [[RAF Upper Heyford]] during [[Operation El Dorado Canyon]] against Libya in 1986, and [[Operation Just Cause]] in Panama during late 1989.<ref>[http://www.mountainhome.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4278 "366tg Fighter Wing History"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615114306/http://www.mountainhome.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4278 |date=15 June 2011 }}. US Air Force</ref>
The Raven served in the [[Gulf War]] during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. On 17 January 1991, a USAF EF-111 crew of Captain James Denton and Captain [[Brent Brandon]] achieved an unofficial kill against an [[Iraq]]i [[Dassault Mirage F1]], which they managed to maneuver into the ground, making it the only member of the F-111 family to achieve an aerial victory over another aircraft.<ref name="GlobalSecurity1"/><ref name=Logan_p89-0/>
[[File:EF-111 over Desert2.jpg|thumb|No Coalition aircraft were lost to a radar-guided missile during Desert Storm while an EF-111 Raven was on station.]]
On 13 February 1991, EF-111A, AF Ser. No. 66-0023, call sign Ratchet 75, crashed<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2012/January%202012/0112gunners.aspx |title= The B-52 Gunners |date= January 2012 |access-date= 4 September 2012}}</ref> into terrain while maneuvering to evade a perceived threat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/153060|title = Accident General Dynamics EF-111A Raven 66-0023, 14 Feb 1991}}</ref><ref name="AFBase">{{cite book |last1=Mailes |first1=Yancy |title=Mountain Home Air Force Base |date=2007 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |location=Chicago |isbn=9780738548050 |page=112 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQfnpY5aCWEC&pg=PA112}}</ref> killing the pilot, Capt Douglas L. Bradt, and the EWO, Capt Paul R. Eichenlaub. It was the only EF-111A lost during combat, the only loss killing its crew, and one of just three EF-111s lost during the aircraft's service.<ref>[http://www.f-111.net/t_no_A.htm YF-111A / F-111A / RF-111A / GF-111A tail no.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214135700/http://www.f-111.net/t_no_A.htm |date=14 December 2007 }} F-111.net, 26 February 2005. Retrieved: 4 September 2012.</ref> However, it is disputed whether there was an enemy present at the time, as two F-15Es watched Ratchet 75 make violent evasive maneuvers and crash into the ground, with no hostile aircraft in the area.{{vague|date=February 2020}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Olsen |first1=John Andreas |title=Air Commanders |date=2012 |publisher=Potomac Books, Inc.; 1st U.S. edition (1 November 2012) |isbn=978-1612345765 |page=325}}</ref>
===Later action===
EF-111s were deployed to [[Aviano Air Base]], Italy in support of [[Operation Deliberate Force]] during the mid-1990s.  The Raven also flew missions in [[Operation Provide Comfort]], [[Operation Northern Watch]] and [[Operation Southern Watch]].<ref name=Logan_p89-0>Logan 1998, pp. 89–90.</ref>
The last deployment of the Raven was a detachment of EF-111s stationed at [[Al Kharj]]/[[Prince Sultan Air Base]] in [[Saudi Arabia]] until April 1998.<ref name="Baug_EF-111A"/> Shortly afterward, the USAF began withdrawing the final EF-111As from service, and placed them in storage at the [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group|Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center]] (AMARC) at [[Davis-Monthan AFB]], Arizona.  The last EF-111s were retired on 2 May 1998, at Cannon AFB, New Mexico.  These were the final USAF F-111s in service.<ref name="Baug_EF-111A"/>
==Variants==
;EF-111A
: Electronic warfare conversion of the F-111A, 42 conversions including two prototypes.
==Operators==
==={{USA}}===
'''[[United States Air Force]]'''<ref>[http://www.orbat.com/site/history/historical/usa/airforce1989.html "USAF: Order of Battle, circa 1989 (Combat Units)."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128051505/http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/usa/airforce1989.html |date=28 November 2010 }} ''orbat.com''. Retrieved: 9 December 2010.</ref>
:'''[[Tactical Air Command]]''' 1981–92
:'''[[Air Combat Command]]''' 1992–98
*[[20th Fighter Wing|20th Tactical Fighter Wing]] – [[RAF Upper Heyford]], [[England]]
::[[42d Electronic Combat Squadron]] (1984–1992)
*[[27th Special Operations Wing|27th Fighter Wing]] – [[Cannon Air Force Base|Cannon AFB]], [[New Mexico]]
::[[429th Electronic Combat Squadron]] (1992–1998)
::[[430th Electronic Combat Squadron]] (1992–1993)
*[[366th Fighter Wing|366th Tactical Fighter Wing]] – [[Mountain Home Air Force Base|Mountain Home AFB]], [[Idaho]]
::[[388th Electronic Combat Squadron]] (1981–1982)
::[[390th Fighter Squadron|390th Electronic Combat Squadron]] (1982–1992)
== Aircraft on display ==
[[File:EF-111A Raven USAF Museum.jpg|thumb|EF-111, s/n 66–0057, on display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]]|alt= Jet aircraft with pointed nose parked on ramp.]]
[[File:EF-111 66-0049.jpg|thumb|EF-111 s/n 66-0049, on display at Mountain Home AFB, ID]]
Of the converted aircraft, three were destroyed in crashes, four are on display, and the other 35 were scrapped.<ref>[http://www.f-111.net/t_no_A.htm "YF-111A / F-111A / RF-111A / GF-111A."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214135700/http://www.f-111.net/t_no_A.htm |date=14 December 2007 }} ''F-111.net'', 26 February 2005. Retrieved: 23 November 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.amarcexperience.com/ui/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&catid=16&dbsource=typelist&dbtype=EF111A&dbpage=1&dbletter=F AMARC Experience Database – EF-111A], Scrapped HVF West, Tucson, AZ, Retrieved 10 February 2014.</ref>
* 66-0016 is on display at [[Cannon Air Force Base]], [[New Mexico]].  It was the first EF-111 to fly a combat mission and was unofficially credited with the Mirage F1 kill.<ref>Logan 1998, pp. 90, 93.</ref><ref>[http://www.cannon.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123333936 Cannon airpark to relocate] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223114927/http://www.cannon.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123333936 |date=23 February 2014 }} – "EF-111 aircraft will be moved to the triangular, grassy area at the entrance of Joe Cannon Estates". 7 February 2013. Retrieved 10 Feb 2014.</ref>
* 66-0047 was being restored at [[Silver Springs Airport]], [[Silver Springs, Nevada]] in 2013.<ref>[http://www.cactusairforce.com/aircraftinventory/ef111a66047.html EF-111A 66-0047] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903041014/http://cactusairforce.com/aircraftinventory/ef111a66047.html |date=3 September 2013 }}. Cactus Air Force. Retrieved 10 February 2014.</ref>
* 66-0049 was the first prototype EF-111 and is on display at [[Mountain Home Air Force Base]], [[Idaho]].
* 66-0057 is on display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] in at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref>[http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/195968/general-dynamics-ef-111a-raven.aspx "General Dynamics EF-111A Raven".] ''National Museum of the United States Air Force''. Retrieved 29 August 2015.</ref>
==Specifications (EF-111A)==
[[File:General Dynamics EF-111A Raven 3-view line drawing.png|right|400px]]
Specifications are for EF-111A except where noted.
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=imp
|ref=''The Great Book of Modern Warplanes''<ref>Sweetman, Bill. ''The Great Book of Modern Warplanes.'' New York: Portland House, 1987 {{ISBN|0-517-63367-1}}.</ref> ''General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark"''<ref name="Miller_p66">Miller 1982, p. 66.</ref> ''Modern Fighting Aircraft''<ref>Gunston 1983, p. 64.</ref>
|crew=Two: pilot and electronic warfare officer
|length ft=76.0
|length m=23.17
|span ft=63.0
|span m=19.2
|span note = spread, 32.0 ft (9.74 m) swept
|height ft=20.0
|height m=6.1
|wing area sqft=657.4
|wing area sqm=61.07
|wing area note=spread, 525 sq ft (48.77) m<sup>2</sup> swept
|airfoil=[[NACA airfoil|NACA 64-210.68]] root, NACA 64-209.80 tip
|empty weight lb=55,275
|empty weight kg=25,072
|gross weight lb=70,000
|gross weight note=<ref name="EMMW">Laur, Colonel Timothy M. and Steven L. Llanso. ''Encyclopedia of Modern U.S. Military Weapons'' New York: Berkley, 1995. {{ISBN|0-425-16437-3}}.</ref>
|gross weight kg=31,751
|max takeoff weight lb=89,000
|max takeoff weight kg=40,370
|more general=*'''[[Zero-lift drag coefficient]]:''' 0.0186 (F-111D)
*'''[[zero-lift drag coefficient|Drag area:]]''' 9.36 ft<sup>2</sup> (0.87 m<sup>2</sup>) (F-111D)
*'''[[Aspect ratio (wing)|Aspect ratio]]:''' 7.56 unswept; 1.95 fully swept (F-111D)
|eng1 name=[[Pratt & Whitney]] [[Pratt & Whitney TF30|TF30-P-3]] initially, later upgraded to TF30-P-9
|eng1 type=[[turbofan]]s with [[afterburner]]
|eng1 number=2
|eng1 lbf=19,600
|eng1 note= (TF30-P-9)
|max speed mach=2.2
|max speed mph=1,460
|max speed kmh=2,350
|max speed note=; above 30,000 ft
|range miles=2,000
|range note= {{refn|Note: 2,000 miles (1,740 nautical miles) for EF-111A.<ref name="GlobalSecurity2">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-111-specs.htm "F-111 Aardvark."] ''GlobalSecurity.org,'' 27 April 2005. Retrieved: 1 April 2009.</ref>|group=N}}
|range nmi=1,740
|range km=3,220
|ferry range miles= 3,800
|ferry range nmi= 3,300
|ferry range km= 6,110
|ceiling ft=45,000
|ceiling m=13,715
|ceiling note= <ref name="EMMW"/>
|climb rate ftmin=11,000
|climb rate ms=55.883
|climb rate note= <ref name="EMMW"/>
|thrust/weight=0.598
|more performance=
*'''[[Lift-to-drag ratio]]:''' 15.8 (F-111)
|armament=
|avionics=
* [[AN/ALQ-99]] electronic warfare system
}}
==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent
|see also=
* [[Electronic countermeasure]]
* [[Electronic warfare]]
* {{section link|Signals intelligence|Electronic signals intelligence}}
|related=
* [[General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark]]
* [[General Dynamics–Boeing AFTI/F-111A Aardvark]]
* [[General Dynamics F-111C]]
* [[General Dynamics–Grumman F-111B]]
* [[General Dynamics F-111K]]
* [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Boeing EA-18G Growler]]
* [[Panavia Tornado|Panavia Tornado ECR]]
* [[Sukhoi Su-24|Sukhoi Su-24MP]]
|lists=
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
}}
==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|group=N}}
===Citations===
{{reflist}}
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* Eden, Paul, ed. "General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark/EF-111 Raven". ''Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft''. London: Amber Books, 2004. {{ISBN|1-904687-84-9}}.
* [[Bill Gunston|Gunston, Bill]]. ''F-111, Modern Fighting Aircraft, Vol. 3''. New York: Salamander Books, 1983. {{ISBN|0-668-05904-4}}.
* Logan, Don. ''General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark''. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Military History, 1998. {{ISBN|0-7643-0587-5}}.
* Miller, Jay. ''General Dynamics F-111 "Arardvark"''. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, 1982. {{ISBN|0-8168-0606-3}}.
* Thornborough, Anthony M. and Peter E. Davies. ''F-111 Success in Action''. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1989. {{ISBN|0-85368-988-1}}.
{{refend}}
== External links ==
{{Commons|EF-111 Raven}}
*[http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/195968/general-dynamics-ef-111a-raven.aspx General Dynamics EF-111A Raven] – [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1995/AMW.htm Future Of Airborne Tactical Jamming report] - National Museum of the United States Air Force
{{Convair/GD aircraft}}
{{Grumman aircraft}}
{{USAF system codes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:General Dynamics-Grumman EF-111A Raven}}
[[Category:General Dynamics aircraft|EF-111]]
[[Category:Grumman aircraft|EF-111]]
[[Category:1970s United States electronic warfare aircraft]]
[[Category:Twinjets]]
[[Category:Shoulder-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Variable-sweep-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1977]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]