The importance of protecting limited aircraft assets cannot be overstated. The loss of a modern aircraft entails the probable loss of highly trained and experienced crews that took years to develop. Furthermore, if a target is missed because of defensive reactions to radar-guided weapons, the sortie is lost and the target will have to be attacked again, draining valuable resources from the war effort and risking the attack package all over again. Therefore, the jamming of early warning, ground-control intercept, and acquisition radars maximizes the success of strike packages by creating significant confusion and friction inside the command and control system of an adversary by denying critical intelligence on aircraft routes, altitudes, and timing. This friction slows an adversary's ability to respond to aerial attacks and therefore contributes directly to the preservation of experienced combat crews and aircraft. Joint Publication 3-01.4 defines Electronic Warfare (EW) as "any military action involving the use of electromagnetic energy and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum or to attack the enemy." EW is further divided into three subcategories: Electronic Attack (EA), Electronic Protect (EP), and Electronic Warfare Support (ES). All three of these subdivisions are critical to the creation of synergistic effects in the modern electromagnetic battlefield. The Air Force's decision to retire the EF-111A and join the Navy in the creation of four EA-6B Joint Expeditionary Squadrons highlights a significant shift in the EA philosophy of the Department of Defense and forms the basis for this monograph. Though the stealthy B-2 and F-117 garner a great deal of attention, these aircraft represent only a small percentage of the United States aerial arsenal. Moreover, the proliferation of radar-directed surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery threats continue to require the U.S. to maintain a robust EA capability. Thus, the United States Air Force will continue to need an EA platform to provide tactical jamming support to non-stealthy aircraft in a medium-to high threat environment during joint or combined operations. This monograph assesses whether or not the Navy's EA-6B possesses sufficient combat capabilities to provide successful EA support to Air Force strategic attack and air interdiction operations. Research indicated that by continuing current Prowler modernization plans, upgrading mobility capabilities, enhancing integration of Air Force officers into the Replacement Air Group and the Electronic Attack Weapons School, and by raising the priority and funding given to returning EA-6B squadrons, the EA-6B Prowler is capable of successfully encountering the modern IADS in support of USAF contingency operations.

ADA 366257 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)