 |
| Grumman EF-111A Raven |
Militarymedia.net - The General Dynamics/ Grumman EF-111 Raven is a modified version of the F-111 Aardvark tactical bomber. The EF-111 serves as an electronic warfare and defense suppressor. Its main mission is to scramble enemy radar and weapon systems at impossible distances. Raven aircraft escort the U.S. offensive battle group.
The electronic warplane was developed to meet U.S. Air Force (USAF) requirements. Grumman formed the EF-111 Raven by modifying General Dynamics' existing F-111A bomber (which cost $15 million) at a cost of about $25 million U.S. dollars. Although expensive, the result is a reliable and effective aircraft that fulfills the desired role. The EF-111 first made its first flight in 1977. In total, the 42 EF-111A Ravens were converted from F-111 bombers, entering service in 1981 but only in operation in 1983. It replaced the old EB-66 and EB-57. aircraft in service with the USAF, and extended the life of the fuselage of the F-111 Ardvark.
The EF-111A Raven is no longer in USAF service. With pressure for a post-Cold War defense economy becoming increasingly difficult to resist, the USAF withdrew the last F-111 Ardvark bomber in 1996. The EF-111 Raven followed in 1998. This allows the USAF to stop supporting all aircraft types, with appropriate savings in logistics support costs. Its role was taken over by the EA-6B Prowler, which was also able to fulfill the important role of SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) —something the EF-111 could not do.
The main equipment of the EF-111 is the AN/ALQ-99E tampering system. It is based on the ALQ-99, but has some improvements such as more automation and better radar signal detection. The system detects radar signals and processes them, comparing them to known threat radar signals. Once a threat is found, a variety of precautions are used. This countermeasure usually consists of interfering with the enemy's radar by blocking it with concentrated energy signals, either in an attempt to confuse the enemy with false information (repeating interference) or to block it from working at all (noise disturbance). Raven's troublemaker system has 70% in common with the U.S. Navy system, which is used on the EA-6B Prowler.
 |
| Grumman EF-111A Raven |
The EF-111 had two nicknames during its 17 years of service: "Spark Vark" (because raven is the electric version of the F-111 Aardvark) and "Electric Fox".
The EF-111 must have its own faults. Except for a few late service units, Raven was unable to perform the suppression of the enemy's air defense role, which involved placing enemy threat radar signals and firing them with HARM anti-radiation missiles. However, Raven compensates for this with a decent high speed, long distance, and jamming system.
Raven is outwardly different from its aircraft carrier, the F-111 bomber, because the radome is narrow under the fuselage and pods above the vertical stabilizer. Both additions added about 3.5 tons of aircraft.
The EF-111A has only two major modifications over its lifetime. The first is the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), which added ten new subsystems from 1990-1997, giving Raven better reliability, automation, signal processing, and memory. AMP is added to all 42 aircraft. The second modification was given only to the rest of the remaining EF-111 squadrons. To extend their working life until a suitable replacement arrived, 12 crows were given SEAD capabilities. These 12 units were stored for several years longer than their siblings, until, finally, the EA-6B Prowler was produced in sufficient quantities.
The EF-111A has two cantels that can be used to mount two AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles or two 2,271-liter (600 gallon) external fuel tanks.
The EF-111A has been a combat service in almost every country where the United States Military has fought since its introduction. It was used in Libya, Bosnia/Herzegovina, and Panama and during the Persian Gulf War.
