Grumman GD
EF-111A Raven "Spark-Vark"
First flight 10 March 1977
Introduction 1983
Retired 1998
Grumman Aerospace
GD EF-111A Raven
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| General information | |
|---|---|
| Type | Electronic warfare |
Manufacturer General Dynamics, conversion by Grumman
First flight 10 March 1977
Introduction 1983
Retired 1998
Status Retired
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 42
Developed from General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
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History Grumm![]()
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General Dynamics EF-111A Raven
"Spark-Vark"
The General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven is a retired electronic-warfare aircraft designed to replace the EB-66 Destroyer in the United States Air Force. Its crews and maintainers often called it the "Spark-Vark", a play on the F-111's "Aardvark" nickname.
In the late 1960s, the U.S. Air Force sought to replace its aging EB-66 and EB-57 electronic warfare aircraft. The Air Force studied the use of Navy EA-6B Prowlers during 1967–1968. However, the Air Force desired a penetrating electronic jamming aircraft with supersonic speed, and, in 1972, decided to modify F-111As into electronic warfare aircraft as a cost-effective option
In January 1974, the Air Force awarded electronic warfare study contracts to Grumman and General Dynamics. Grumman was selected as the EF-111 prime contractor in December 1974, then was awarded a contract to modify two F-111As into EF-111 prototypes in January 1975. The first fully equipped model, known then as the "Electric Fox", flew on 10 March 1977. A total of 42 airframes were converted at a total cost of US$1.5 billion. The first EF-111s were deployed in November 1981 to the 388th Tactical Electronic Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. The last was delivered in 1985.0
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Max Crew
Photo Gallery
Grumman GD EF-111A Raven
Grumman Aerospace Corporation
General Dynamics EF-111A Raven
General characteristics
- Crew: Two: pilot and electronic warfare officer
- Length: 76 ft 0 in (23.17 m)
- Wingspan: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m) spread, 32.0 ft (9.74 m) swept
- Height: 20 ft 0 in (6.1 m)
- Wing area: 657.4 sq ft (61.07 m2) spread, 525 sq ft (48.77) m2 swept
- Empty weight: (25,072 kg)
- Gross weight: (31,751 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: (40,370 kg)
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Powerplant
- Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0186 (F-111D)
- Drag area: 9.36 ft2 (0.87 m2) (F-111D)
- Aspect ratio: 7.56 unswept; 1.95 fully swept (F-111D)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 initially, later upgraded to TF30-P-9 turbofans with afterburner, 19,600 lbf (87 kN) thrust each (TF30-P-9)
Specifications
- Maximum speed: 1,460 mph (2,350 km/h, 1,270 kn) ; above 30,000 ft
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2
- Range: 2,000 mi (3,220 km, 1,740 nmi)
- Ferry range: 3,800 mi (6,110 km, 3,300 nmi)
- Service ceiling: (13,715 m)
- Rate of climb: 11,000 ft/min (55.883 m/s)
- Thrust/weight: 0.598
- Lift-to-drag ratio: 15.8 (F-111)
Links to Youtube & Others
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
GD EF-111A Raven
The General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven is a retired electronic-warfare aircraft
Youtube Link
The final deployment of the Raven was a detachment of EF-111s stationed at Al Kharj/Prince Sultan Air Base
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