Douglas EC-24A

The Douglas EC‑24A, developed under the McDonnell Douglas umbrella in the early 1970s, was a specialized electronic‑counter‑measures (ECM) platform derived from the proven DC‑8 airliner. The program began as a joint effort between the United States Air Force and the company’s Advanced Systems Division, aiming to create a mobile, high‑altitude jammer capable of supporting tactical and strategic operations across the Cold War theater. The EC‑24A retained the DC‑8‑50 airframe but incorporated a reinforced nose structure, a modified fuselage skin, and an extensive suite of AN/ALQ‑172 and AN/ALQ‑184 transmitters, receivers, and signal‑processing computers. A distinctive dorsal hump housed the main mission electronics, while upgraded Pratt & Whitney JT3D‑7A turbofan engines provided the necessary thrust and reliability for long‑duration flights at altitudes above 35 000 feet. Only twelve airframes were built, entering service in 1975 and remaining active until their retirement in 1998. The aircraft proved instrumental during several NATO exercises, demonstrating the ability to suppress enemy radar and communications while escorting strike packages. Its legacy lives on in modern EA‑6B and EA‑18G platforms, and the EC‑24A is remembered as a pivotal bridge between commercial transport technology and sophisticated electronic‑warfare capability.