Electronic Weapons: November 2, 2002

Archives

The navy is becoming more concerned about it's 1960s era EA-6 electronic warfare aircraft. In the 1990s, it was decided to retire the equally ancient air force EF-111 electronic warfare aircraft and depend solely on the EA-6. More money was allocated to rebuild EA-6s to keep them flying. But this has proved insufficient, particularly with the constant need for electronic warfare aircraft in the Balkans and over Iraq. The navy thinks it has made a strong case for having F-18Fs converted to EA-18 electronic warfare aircraft. But this will cost billions of dollars and the money has to start flowing soon, before more ageing EA-6's have to be retired because they are falling apart. An EA-18G aircraft is already in development and could be built and delivered to the troops by 2008. The EA-6's are expected to worn out by 2010-12. The new EA-18s would probably end up costing at least $100 million each. The air force, navy and marines need at least a hundred of these aircraft. 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close