Sunday, August 06, 2023

A Useful Weapon

For some readers not familiar with military hardware, US Person posts this "Periscope" video of the EA-6B Prowler, a now-retired EW jet that he suggested could be valuable to Ukraine, especially if its command decides to conduct an aviation campaign against Russian ground and naval forces on Crimea. The naval jet proved invaluable against adversaries that possessed robust air defenses like North Vietnam and Bosnia. The Prowler can also be equipped with radar-seeking air to ground missiles. (AGM-88)The aircraft could be more effective than F-16s in the current conflict since Ukraine already possesses effective fighter-bombers (Mig-29, Su-25), but lacks sufficient EW equipment. The Prowler's important role in strike protection is particularly relevant to the current conflict. The last Marine wing of Prowlers left service in 2016. Presumably these are in storage and could be gifted to Ukraine's air arm.