Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior

The Douglas EA‑3B Skywarrior was a carrier‑based, twin‑engine jet aircraft that entered service in the early 1950s as the Navy’s first large, jet‑powered bomber. Built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, the airframe originally carried the designation A‑3 and later evolved into a series of specialized variants. The EA‑3B, introduced in 1965, was the electronic‑warfare conversion of the A‑3, equipped with sophisticated ELINT and ECM suites, additional antennae, and a retractable “snorkel” for extended signal‑collection missions. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney J57‑19W turbojets, the Skywarrior could lift over 30,000 lb, giving it a remarkable payload capacity for both weapons and electronic equipment. Its sturdy, low‑wing design and reinforced landing gear allowed operations from aircraft carriers, while its long range—exceeding 2,600 nm—made it ideal for deep‑strike and reconnaissance roles.

Throughout the Cold War, EA‑3Bs provided vital carrier‑group protection, jamming enemy radars and gathering intelligence over contested waters. Their adaptability demonstrated the value of converting existing airframes for new missions, influencing later multi‑role platforms. The aircraft’s service, lasting until the early 1990s, left a lasting legacy in carrier‑based electronic warfare and underscored Douglas’s role in advancing naval aviation technology.

Douglas

Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification