General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven

Uncommon card · No. 145966

The General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven is a retired electronic-warfare aircraft that was designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturers General Dynamics and Grumman. It was operated exclusively by the United States Air Force (USAF); its crews and maintainers often called it the "Spark-Vark", a play on the F-111's "Aardvark" nickname. Development commenced during the 1970s to replace the EB-66s and EB-57s then in service with the USAF. Both Grumman and General Dynamics were issued contracts in 1974 to convert several existing General Dynamics F-111As into supersonic-capable electronic warfare/electronic countermeasures (ECM) aircraft. The USAF had opted to develop a derivative of the F-111 due to its greater penetrating power over the Navy / Marine Corps Grumman EA-6B Prowler. The resulting aircraft retained numerous systems of the F-111A and lacked armaments, relying entirely upon its speed and electronic warfare capabilities. The maiden flight of the prototype EF-111...

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