General Dynamics
EF-111
Raven
Previous U.S. MILITARY Next

Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Dayton, Ohio
EF-111A Ravens served as tactical electronic jamming aircraft . The U.S. Air Force received 42 EF-111As between 1981 and 1985, and the aircraft supported several USAF operations in the 1980s and 1990s

In the 1970s Grumman began modifying 42 F-111A fighters by adding jamming equipment to create the EF-111A. A 16-foot-long, canoe-shaped radome on the underside for the fuselage housed high-powered transmitter antennas, and a fin-tip pod on the vertical stabilizer housed receiving antennas and other equipment, including a processor to detect hostile radar emissions. This complex gear weighed about four tons. Because the equipment required full-time attention in flight, the right seat crewmember, or Electronic Warfare Officer, no longer performed flight-related duties but instead monitored the jamming equipment.

In 1984 Grumman/General Dynamics Corp. began building additional modification kits for the EF-111A which enabled the aircraft to operate in three roles: standoff jamming, close in jamming and penetration/escort.

Ravens served first with the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron based at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Later, they were based at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The U.S. Air Force retired its EF-111A's in June 1998.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span:  63 ft. extended; 32 ft. swept Maximum speed:  1,452 mph
Length:  76.38 ft. Cruising speed: 
Height:  20.00 ft. Range:   2,482 miles
Empty Weight:  Service ceiling:  55,400 ft.
Gross Weight:  87,478 lbs. (maximum takeoff)  
Crew:  Two
Engines:  Two Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-109 turbofans of 20,840 lbs. thrust each
Armament: 
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force  
VARIANTS:

 F-111
Aardvark
   
USAF
Fact Sheet