General Dynamics / Grumman EF-111 Raven facts for kids

Quick facts for kids General Dynamics / Grumman EF-111 Raven
General Dynamics / Grumman EF-111A Raven in flight.
Role	Electronic warfare aircraft
National origin	USA
Manufacturer	General Dynamics & Grumman.
First flight	1977
Introduction	1981
Status	Out of service.
Primary user	US Air Force.
Number built	42

The General Dynamics / Grumman EF-111 Raven was a special kind of military aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force. It had two powerful turbojet engines. Its main job was to "jam" enemy radar, which means confusing their electronic systems. This helped protect other friendly planes during missions. It was designed and built in the United States. The Raven flew during the last years of the Cold War and was also used in NATO operations during the Yugoslavia war in 1995. It stopped being used in 1998.

The EF-111 Raven: A "Jammer" Jet

The EF-111 Raven was not designed to carry bombs or fire missiles. Instead, it was an "electronic warfare" aircraft. Think of it as a flying electronic shield. Its main goal was to protect other aircraft, like bombers or fighter jets, by making it hard for enemy radar to find them.

What Does it Do?

Radar works by sending out radio waves and listening for them to bounce back. This helps detect objects like airplanes. The EF-111 Raven had special equipment that could send out its own powerful radio signals. These signals would "jam" or overwhelm the enemy's radar. It was like shouting loudly to drown out someone trying to whisper.

• This made it difficult for enemy forces to track friendly planes.
• It also confused enemy anti-aircraft defense systems.
• This allowed other planes to complete their missions more safely.

How Was it Made?

The EF-111 Raven was not built from scratch. It was actually a changed version of another famous aircraft, the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark. The F-111 was a fighter-bomber known for its ability to fly very fast and low.

• Engineers from Grumman took 42 F-111A planes.
• They removed the bombing equipment.
• They added advanced electronic jamming systems inside the plane.
• A large "canoe-shaped" pod was placed on top of the tail. This pod held many of the electronic antennas.
• The first EF-111 Raven flew in 1977.
• It officially joined the U.S. Air Force in 1981.

Where Did it Fly?

The Raven played an important role in several conflicts.

• During the final years of the Cold War, it was ready to protect U.S. and allied forces.
• It saw action in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Here, it helped clear the way for other aircraft.
• In 1995, it was used during NATO operations in Yugoslavia. It continued to protect planes from ground-based threats.

The Raven was often one of the first planes to enter enemy airspace. Its job was to "open a path" for other aircraft by neutralizing radar threats.

Why Was it Special?

The EF-111 Raven had several unique features that made it effective:

• Speed and Range: It could fly very fast and cover long distances. This allowed it to keep up with other fast jets.
• Low-Altitude Flying: Like the F-111, it could fly very low to the ground. This made it harder for some enemy radars to detect it.
• Advanced Electronics: It carried powerful jamming equipment. This included systems that could identify different types of enemy radar and then create specific signals to confuse them.
• Two-Person Crew: It was flown by a pilot and an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO). The EWO was in charge of operating all the complex jamming systems.

Its Final Flight

After many years of service, the EF-111 Raven was retired in 1998.

• Newer technologies and aircraft designs emerged.
• The U.S. Air Force decided to use other platforms for electronic warfare.
• The Boeing EA-18G Growler, a different type of electronic warfare aircraft, later took on similar roles.

Even though it's no longer flying, the EF-111 Raven was a crucial aircraft. It helped protect countless lives and played a key part in military operations for nearly two decades.