The basic A-6 carrier borne attack plane enter service in 1963, and over 600 were built. Many older A-6S were modified into A-6Es and KA-6D tankers, for a strength of about 300 planes in the early 1990s. These attack planes would clearly benefit from support of a specialist electronic warfare variant and as an interim measure a small number of EA-6A conversions were placed in service while the definitive EA-6B was developed. A contract was awarded in August 1966 for the EA-6B and the prototype flew in May 1968. the crew was increased from two pilots by adding two electronic specialists to man the complex electronic systems including defensive countermeasures and a powerful onboard tactical jammer. With the exception of a 4.5 ft. fuselage extension to house the two additional crew members, and a large pod on the vertical tail, the plane looks like a basic A-6. Deliveries to the US. Navy started in January 1971 and by the end of 1989 more than 110 had been delivered. The US. Marine Corps also used the EA-6B for its specialized missions, with first deployment in 1978. 

Propulsion

Performance