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Is the Air Force missing a plane.


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The Navy has had dedicated EW planes for several decades now.  The newest is the EA-18G.  The USAF tried the EF-111A for awhile and abandoned them.  Does the AF believe it is unnecessary or do they have something to take the place of a dedicated aircraft?

 

Geoff M

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The 390th ECS fly the EA-18G in a joint role with the USN out of Whidbey. USAF EWOs flew in the Prowler as well, but unsure as to who the pilots were. USN/USMC or USAF combo. 

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When the USAF sent a couple B-1's out on a mission to Syria from base "X" a few years ago, they used USMC EA-6B's to fly EW for them. I'm sure when the mission dictates EW threats, the USAF would go about it the same way again, but this time with USN EA-18G's I assume.

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I knew they were cross-cockpitting with the Navy, putting AF guys in The EA-6B.  Didn't know it carried over to the EA-18G.  Did the AF contribute to the development of the Growler?  Would they ever consider bringing them on board for the AF or is it just not seen as an important enough task to consider spending money on it.  I read in previous posts that the AF goes about it differently so I guess the idea of dedicated platforms for every mission is just too expensive.

 

Geoff M

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  • 3 weeks later...

Ok, the question to me is, does USAF need such aircraft? A fast jet to work as an EW escort? It's good to have your own, but they don't have to rely on allies for this job. I suppose every time any operation or sortie is planned, there is a list of assets available. The USN Growlers, carrier or land based, are probably somewhere near. And there are quite a few squadrond not permanently attached to CVWs.

Not really knowing the procurement procedure (especially in the US), but knowing the attitude and all the stuff that comes to spending public money, I suppose it comes down to responsibility for spending money. USN wants a dedicated platform for EW, since that is the CVW m.o. - ability to operate as the tip of the spear, without all the possible support. The fact that this dedicated platform could be of use to other branches of military is another argument to allow the expenditure of a limited budgetary resource. Not necesarilly for the USN, but for people who give the project the green light. And we all know, if there is one dedicated EW platform just for the CVW use, there will be fewer jets to buy, and it's cheaper to buy more of the same.

Don't know why, but it comes very close to buing a single toy for my two kids. "Will You share with Your brother? - yes? so ok". I bet it's purelly coincidental. Or I'm just plain wrong.

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