| Encyclopedia of the Persian Gulf War

Page 87

E-2C Hawkeye–Exocet Missile

E-2C Hawkeye

The Grumman E-2C Hawkeye is an airborne early warning and air control plane; these five-crew aircraft flew 1,183 sorties during Operation Desert Storm.

The company that built the E-2C says of the plane, “With its distinctive 24-foot diameter rotating radome and 12,000 pounds [5,443 kg] of sophisticated electronic equipment, the E-2C can monitor three million cubic miles of airspace . . . from its operating altitude, about 30,000 feet [9,146 m], the Hawkeye overcomes limitations the earth’s curvature imposes on ground-based radar systems. With its General Electric APS-125 advanced radar processing system, the Hawkeye automatically detects, identifies, and tracks enemy aircraft, over both land and water, at ranges approaching 300 miles [483 km].” Powered by two Allison T56-425 turboprop engines that produce 4,910 shaft horsepower, the E-2C has a maximum speed of 326 knots (375 mph; 604 km/h), and a ferry range of 1,394 nautical miles (2,583 km).

References:

Jordan, John, An Illustrated Guide to Modern Naval Aviation and Aircraft Carriers (New York: Prentice Hall, 1983), 102.

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E-2C Hawkeye

The Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, with a crew of five, is an airborne early warning and air control craft capable of monitoring three million cubic miles of airspace.

E-3 Sentry

See Airborne Warning and Control System.

E-8A/C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS or JOINT STARS)

EA-6B Prowler

A four-seat electronic countermeasures (ECM) craft, the EA-6B flew 504 missions for the Marines and 1,126 for the Navy during the Gulf War.

Built by Grumman, the EA-6B is perhaps the most sophisticated electronic warfare craft in operation. The plane mimics its older cousin, the EA-6A Intruder, in all ways except for the addition of ECM gear. Aircraft writer John Jordan states that “the EA-6B . . . is a completely redesigned aircraft incorporating a very advanced and comprehensive suite of ECM equipment, both internal and podded. Five ALQ-99 high-power tactical jamming pods, each with windmill generators to supply their power requirements, can be carried, and enemy radar transmissions are monitored and countered by two electronics warfare (EW) operators seated side by side in the rear. The pilot sits on the left, and on his right is an ECM officer who manages navigation, communications, defensive ECM and the dispensing of chaff.”

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J52-406 two-shaft turbojet engines providing 11,200 pounds (5,080 kg) of thrust, the EA-6B weighs a maximum of 65,100 pounds (29,530 kg), has a maximum speed of 566 knots (1,048 km/h), and has an unrefueled range of 2,085 nautical miles (3,861 km).

EC-130E Volant Solo

The EC-130E Volant Solo, an updated version of the C-130 Hercules, is used mainly to conduct