General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven

In the late 1960s, the United States Air Force (USAF) sought to replace its aging EB-66 and EB-57 electronic warfare aircraft. Options studied by the service included the United States Navy's EA-6B Prowlers during 1967–1968. However, the USAF desired a penetrating electronic jamming aircraft capable of supersonic speeds; During January 1974, the USAF awarded electronic warfare study contracts to the aerospace companies Grumman and General Dynamics. 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-99E jamming system, developed from the Navy's ALQ-99 on the Prowler. The EF-111 was unarmed; its speed and acceleration were its main means of self-defense. It was not capable of firing anti-radiation missiles 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 F-111D, which produced dry and afterburning thrust in 1986. Between 1987 and 1994, the Raven underwent an Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), similar to the Pacer Strike program for the F-111F, which saw the addition of a dual AN/ASN-41 ring laser gyroscope INS, AN/APN-218 Doppler radar, and an updated AN/APQ-146 terrain-following radar. Furthermore, cockpit displays were upgraded with multi-function displays. ==Operational history==

during Operation Deny Flight During 1983, the EF-111A achieved initial operational capability. It received the official name Raven, although the aircraft also acquired the nickname "Spark 'Vark" during its service life. The type's combat debut, performed by the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing based at RAF Upper Heyford, took place in Operation El Dorado Canyon against Libya in 1986. During this operation, five EF-111As flew a distance of 3,500 miles (necessitating four aerial refueling actions) before using their electronic countermeasures to disrupt hostile air defenses while other USAF and USN aircraft bombed military airfields, barracks, and other Libyan military facilities. Their next engagement came three years later during Operation Just Cause in Panama; two EF-111As were deployed to jam enemy apparatus. During 1991, 18 EF-111As conducted combat missions during the Gulf War against Iraq. Typically, the type accompanied strike packages of coalition aircraft flying deep strike missions into Iraq, during which their jammers would disable Iraqi radars. The EF-111A was the only unarmed manned aircraft to fly so deep into Iraqi airspace. On 17 January 1991, one EF-111A, crewed by Captain James Denton and Captain Brent Brandon, achieved an unofficial kill against an Iraqi Air Force 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. into terrain while maneuvering to evade a perceived threat. 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. 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. During the mid-1990s, several EF-111s were deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, in support of Operation Deliberate Force in response to the Bosnia War. Furthermore, the Raven also flew missions in Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Northern Watch and Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf. The final deployment of the Raven was a detachment of EF-111s stationed at Al Kharj/Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia until April 1998. ==Variants==

;EF-111A : Electronic warfare conversion of the F-111A, 42 conversions including two prototypes. ==Operators==

====== United States Air Force :Tactical Air Command 1981–92 :Air Combat Command 1992–98 • 20th Tactical Fighter Wing – RAF Upper Heyford, England ::42d Electronic Combat Squadron (1984–1992) • 27th Fighter Wing – Cannon AFB, New Mexico ::429th Electronic Combat Squadron (1992–1998) ::430th Electronic Combat Squadron (1992–1993) • 366th Tactical Fighter Wing – Mountain Home AFB, Idaho ::388th Electronic Combat Squadron (1981–1982) ::390th Electronic Combat Squadron (1982–1992) == Aircraft on display ==

in Dayton, Ohio|alt= Jet aircraft with pointed nose parked on ramp. Of the converted aircraft, three were destroyed in crashes, four are on display, and the other 35 were scrapped. • 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. • 66-0047 was being restored at Silver Springs Airport, Silver Springs, Nevada in 2013. • 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 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. ==Specifications (EF-111A)==

Specifications are for EF-111A except where noted. ==See also==