Marine Corps encouraging task force to replace Prowler attack aircraft

The US Marine Corps (USMC) is preparing a system of electronic warfare capabilities on board several aircraft and other assets known as Marine Air-Ground Task Force Electronic Warfare (MAGTF EW) to replace its retiring Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft, a representative for the service said on 7 March.

“Under MAGTF EW the Marine Corps is leveraging emerging technologies and integrating multiple aviation platforms [unmanned, fixed-wing, tilt-rotor, and rotary-wing assets]; payloads; ground-based EW nodes; and cyber capabilities to provide commanders with an organic and persistent EW capability – for every MAGTF – large and small,” Captain Sarah Burns told IHS Jane’s .

The ALQ-231 Intrepid Tiger II (IT-II) airborne EW pods have deployed on board McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II jump jets and Boeing F/A-18 Hornet combat aircraft, according to Capt Burns.

“IT-II is currently completing testing on board the Bell UH-1Y Venom and will deploy once the test phase is complete,” she added.

Read more at IHS Jane’s 360

Featured photo courtesy of theavationist.com