The Grumman A-6 Intruder was a twin-engine, all-weather, carrier-based attack aircraft developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Introduced in 1963, it provided a major leap in strike capability due to its advanced navigation and attack systems, allowing precision bombing in poor visibility conditions—day or night, rain or shine.

The EA-6B Prowler, developed from the A-6, was a specialized electronic warfare (EW) version. It featured a longer fuselage to accommodate a four-person crew and extensive avionics for radar jamming, communications disruption, and electronic surveillance. First flown in 1968, the Prowler became a cornerstone of U.S. electronic warfare capability until it was retired in 2019.

Key Specifications (A-6E Intruder)

• Crew: 2 (Pilot and Bombardier/Navigator).
• Length: 16.69 m (54 ft 9 in).
• Wingspan: 16.15 m (53 ft 0 in).
• Height: 4.93 m (16 ft 2 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~27,400 kg (60,625 lb).
• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P-8B turbojets.
• Maximum Speed: ~1,036 km/h (644 mph, Mach 0.86).
• Range: ~4,840 km (3,010 mi).
• Service Ceiling: ~12,500 m (41,000 ft).
• Armament: Up to 18,000 lb (8,200 kg) of bombs, missiles, and mines.

Key Specifications (EA-6B Prowler)

• Crew: 4 (Pilot and 3 Electronic Countermeasures Officers).
• Length: 18.24 m (59 ft 10 in).
• Wingspan: 15.90 m (52 ft 2 in).
• Height: 4.93 m (16 ft 2 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ~27,500 kg (60,625 lb).
• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbojets.
• Maximum Speed: ~933 km/h (580 mph, Mach 0.83).
• Range: ~3,800 km (2,361 mi).
• Service Ceiling: ~11,580 m (38,000 ft).
• Armament: 5 × external hardpoints for AGM-88 HARM missiles, jamming pods, and fuel tanks.

Notable Features

• Advanced attack radar and digital weapons delivery systems for pinpoint strikes.
• Side-by-side cockpit arrangement for better crew coordination.
• EA-6B featured ALQ-99 jamming pods and was equipped to suppress enemy air defenses (SEAD).
• Both aircraft had folding wings for carrier storage and rugged landing gear for harsh naval environments.
• Prowler became a vital electronic warfare escort for U.S. and allied forces in every major conflict from Vietnam to the War on Terror.

Operators & Usage

• A-6 Intruder: Served with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the 1960s until its retirement in the late 1990s.
• EA-6B Prowler: Operated by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps until its retirement in 2019, replaced by the EA-18G Growler.
• Played critical roles in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
• Highly respected for durability, all-weather precision, and electronic warfare capabilities.