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AV-8B HARRIER. —The AV-8B is a single-
engine, single-crew-member aircraft capable of
vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL)
operations. Operated by the U.S. Marine Corps,
it was designed to be highly responsive to the
needs of ground forces for close air support. Its
V/STOL capability enables it to operate from
relatively unprepared sites close to the action,
thus increasing its sortie rate. It also can operate
from U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships. The
AV-8B is built primarily by McDonnell Aircraft
Company, a division of McDonnell-Douglas
Corporation, with major contributions by British
Aerospace. The predecessor to the AV-8B, the
British Aerospace’s AV-8C, was introduced to the
U.S. Marine Corps in 1969. The British version
of the aircraft saw a great deal of action during
the 1982 Falklands War.
Other Fixed-Wing Aircraft
The Navy uses different aircraft in various
roles, ranging from early warning to submarine
patrol. Some of these aircraft are discussed in the
following paragraphs.
E-2C HAWKEYE. —The E-2C Hawkeye is
the U.S. Navy’s all-weather, carrier-based tactical
airborne warning and control system platform.
An integral component of the carrier air wing, the
E-2C carries three primary sensors: radar,
identification friend or foe (IFF), and a passive
detection system. These sensors are integrated
with a general-purpose computer. This computer
enables the E-2C to provide early warning, threat
analyses, and control of counteraction against air
and surface targets. The E-2C incorporates the
latest solid-state electronics.
F-14 Tomcat fighters provided combat air
patrol during the two-carrier battle group joint
strike against terrorist-related Libyan targets in
1986. The carrier-based E-2C Hawkeye directed
the F-14 Tomcat fighters during the strike and
during the crisis periods preceding and following
the strike. E-2Cs and Aegis cruisers, working
together, provided total air mass superiority over
the American fleet. American aircraft intercepted
153 Libyan air force attempts to overfly the U.S.
fleet, intercept the U.S. fighter combat air patrol,
or gather intelligence information. Not once did
a Libyan aircraft get into firing position before
a U.S. aircraft or Aegis platform missile locked
it into its sight.
E-2 aircraft also have worked effectively
with U.S. law enforcement agencies in drug
interdiction operations.
The E-2C replaces the E-2B, an earlier version.
E-2C aircraft entered U.S. Navy service in
November 1973.
EA-6B PROWLER. —The EA-6B Prowler is
a four-seat derivative of the highly successful A-6
Intruder medium attack aircraft. Among its
features are a computer-controlled electronic
surveillance and control system and high-power
jamming transmitters in various frequency bands.
The jamming transmitters are contained in pods
mounted externally on the five aircraft pylons.
Aircraft capabilities can be varied throughout the
frequency spectrum by varying the mix of
jamming transmitters on the aircraft.
EA-6B Prowlers played an important role in
the joint strike on Libyan terrorist-related targets
in 1986. Working with Air Force EF-111 Ravens,
Navy and Marine Corps Prowlers jammed Libyan
air defense surveillance. That enabled carrier-
launched Navy A-6E Intruders and land-based Air
Force FB-111s to put their ordnance on target.
An EA-6B improved-capability (ICAP II)
aircraft modernization program is underway to
upgrade the entire EA-6B inventory. The first
ICAP II-equipped EA-6B squadron provided
flawless coverage for the joint USS Saratoga and
Carrier Air Wing 17 HARM missile strike against
Libya. ICAP II includes an inertial navigation
system, the universal exciter jamming pod,
updated displays, and the ability to interface with
computerized mission planning systems. It
provides the latest equipment to meet current and
projected threats.
P-3C ORION. —The P-3C is a land-based,
long-range antisubmarine warfare (ASW) patrol
aircraft. It has advanced submarine detection
sensors such as the directional frequency and
ranging (DIFAR) sonobuoys and magnetic
anomaly detection (MAD) equipment. The
avionics system is integrated with a general-
purpose digital computer. This computerized
system supports all of the tactical displays and
monitors and automatically launches ordnance,
while providing flight information to the pilots.
In addition, the system coordinates navigation
information and accepts sensor data inputs for
tactical display and storage. The P-3C can carry
a mixed payload of weapons internally and on
wing pylons.
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