General Dynamics-Grumman EF-111A Raven
General Dynamics / Grumman · United States · first flew 1977 · reconnaissance aircraft
The EF-111A Raven was an electronic-warfare aircraft converted from the General Dynamics F-111A for the United States Air Force.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, variable |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Variable-sweep wing with two afterburning turbofans in the rear fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Variable-sweep wing with two afterburning turbofans in the rear fuselage
- Long ventral canoe radome under the fuselage
- Receiver pod at the top of the fin
The F-111 outline with a long ventral canoe radome under the fuselage and a pod at the top of the fin.
Specifications
- The General Dynamics-Grumman EF-111A Raven has a length of 23.17 m (76 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.2 m (63 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 2350 km/h (1460 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Grumman was selected as prime contractor in December 1974 and the first fully equipped aircraft flew on 10 March 1977. Forty-two airframes were converted.
Variants
The engines were later upgraded to the TF30-P-9 of the F-111D. The jamming system was developed from the Navy ALQ-99.
Where you'll see it
It entered service in 1981 and took part in Operations El Dorado Canyon, Just Cause and Desert Storm before retirement in May 1998. It was unarmed and relied on speed and jamming for defence.
Related aircraft
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