Grumman GD
EF-111A Raven "Spark-Vark"
Grumman Aerospace
GD EF-111A Raven
Role Electronic warfare
Manufacturer General Dynamics, conversion by Grumman
First flight 10 March 1977
Introduction 1983
Retired 1998
Status Retired
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 42
Developed from General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
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History Grumm![]()
an Aerospace
General Dynamics EF-111A Raven
"Spark-Vark"
The General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven is a retired electronic-warfare aircraft designed to replace the EB-66 Destroyer in the United States Air Force. Its crews and maintainers often called it the "Spark-Vark", a play on the F-111's "Aardvark" nickname.
In the late 1960s, the U.S. Air Force sought to replace its aging EB-66 and EB-57 electronic warfare aircraft. The Air Force studied the use of Navy EA-6B Prowlers during 1967–1968. However, the Air Force desired a penetrating electronic jamming aircraft with supersonic speed, and, in 1972, decided to modify F-111As into electronic warfare aircraft as a cost-effective option
In January 1974, the Air Force awarded electronic warfare study contracts to Grumman and General Dynamics. Grumman was selected as the EF-111 prime contractor in December 1974, then was awarded a contract to modify two F-111As into EF-111 prototypes in January 1975. The first fully equipped model, known then as the "Electric Fox", flew on 10 March 1977. A total of 42 airframes were converted at a total cost of US$1.5 billion. The first EF-111s were deployed in November 1981 to the 388th Tactical Electronic Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. The last was delivered in 1985.0
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Grumman GD EF-111A Raven
Grumman Aerospace Corporation
General Dynamics EF-111A Raven
General characteristics
- Crew: Two: pilot and electronic warfare officer
- Length: 76 ft 0 in (23.17 m)
- Wingspan: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m) spread, 32.0 ft (9.74 m) swept
- Height: 20 ft 0 in (6.1 m)
- Wing area: 657.4 sq ft (61.07 m2) spread, 525 sq ft (48.77) m2 swept
- Empty weight: (25,072 kg)
- Gross weight: (31,751 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: (40,370 kg)
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Powerplant
- Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0186 (F-111D)
- Drag area: 9.36 ft2 (0.87 m2) (F-111D)
- Aspect ratio: 7.56 unswept; 1.95 fully swept (F-111D)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 initially, later upgraded to TF30-P-9 turbofans with afterburner, 19,600 lbf (87 kN) thrust each (TF30-P-9)
Specifications
- Maximum speed: 1,460 mph (2,350 km/h, 1,270 kn) ; above 30,000 ft
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.2
- Range: 2,000 mi (3,220 km, 1,740 nmi)
- Ferry range: 3,800 mi (6,110 km, 3,300 nmi)
- Service ceiling: (13,715 m)
- Rate of climb: 11,000 ft/min (55.883 m/s)
- Thrust/weight: 0.598
- Lift-to-drag ratio: 15.8 (F-111)
Links to Youtube & Others
The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, later Grumman Aerospace Corporation, was a 20th century American producer of military and civilian aircraft. Founded on December 6, 1929, by Leroy Grumman and his business partners, it merged in 1994 with Northrop Corporation to form Northrop Grumman.
GD EF-111A Raven
The F-14 Tomcat was designed as both an air superiority fighter and a long-range naval interceptor.
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At the time of filming, the only recognizable star in the movie was Tom Cruise, who was known as a teen idol from 1983’s “Risky Business.”.
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