Douglas
McDonnell Douglas EA-4F Skyhawk
The McDonnell Douglas EA‑4F Skyhawk is a specialized electronic‑warfare variant of the legendary A‑4 carrier‑borne attack aircraft, produced by Douglas (later McDonnell Douglas) in the early 1970s. Developed to replace the aging EA‑4B, the EA‑4F entered service with the United States Navy in 1971 and served through the end of the Cold War. Retaining the Skyhawk’s compact, low‑drag airframe, the EA‑4F incorporated a suite of avionics including the ALR‑66 radar‑warning receiver, a jammer pod and a dedicated communications‑intercept system. These upgrades allowed the aircraft to locate, identify and suppress enemy radars while maintaining the nimble handling characteristics that made the original Skyhawk a carrier staple. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney J52‑7 turbo‑jet, the EA‑4F could reach speeds above Mach 0.9 and operate from the smallest deck spaces on U.S. aircraft carriers. Although only 74 airframes were built, the EA‑4F demonstrated the feasibility of converting a light attack platform into an effective electronic‑attack asset, influencing later designs such as the EA‑6B Prowler. Its service underscored the growing importance of electronic warfare in modern naval aviation and cemented the Skyhawk lineage as a versatile, adaptable aircraft family.
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Classification
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Douglas
- Nickname
- Skyhawk
- Military Designation
- EA-4F
- Wikidata ID
- Q133891974