Electronic Warfare Aircraft

An electronic warfare aircraft is a military aircraft equipped for electronic warfare (EW) - i.e. degrading the effectiveness of enemy radar and radio systems.

In 1943 British Avro Lancaster aircraft were equipped with chaff to blind enemy air defence radars. They were supplemented by specially-equipped aircraft flown by No. 100 Group RAF, which operated modified Halifaxes, Liberators and Fortresses carrying various jammers such as Carpet, Airborne Cigar, Mandrel, Jostle, and Piperack.

Examples of modern aircraft designed or modified for EW include:

  • EA-6B Prowler (US)
  • EF-111A Raven (US)
  • EC-130H Compass Call (US)
  • EA-18G Growler (US)
  • Tornado ECR (Germany-Italy)
  • EF-10B Skynight (US)
  • Mi-8PP (Soviet Union)

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