Electronic jamming aircraft

[Daryl J.]

Is it technologically possible that the jamming equipment and receiving antennae could miniaturize?   Or are these sorts of things dependent on antennae sizes?

[Weaver]

Some of the gear can be miniaturised, but you're right, there's some immutable basic physics around aerial sizes. Another issue is power generation/handling: if you miniaturise the cables and relays handling a LARGE amount of power, they just burn out.

[raafif]

some areials can be reduced in size (ie CB radio ones) by base-loading.  Dishes can be reduced slightly with better design & better transmission methods.

Handling high power is a problem for solid-state devices - you need rugged transistors + big heat-sinks.
             the alternative is (like old guitar amps etc) to use old-fashioned valves which don't die ... they just glow a brighter & brighter shade of cherry-red

[Daryl J.]

In other words, a 737-200 could have made a pretty decent jamming machine for the 1970s?
The presumptions:  the extra airborne real estate could carry larger antennae/pods.  That and a possible missile bay like the P-8.

[kitnut617]

After following Captain Canada's thread on the What-If forum about what Canadian military scheme he would put on his 737, it gave me an idea much like what you're suggesting Daryl.  I'm thinking of a 737-800 with the side cheeks off a RC-135, sort of a poor-mans Rivet Joint

[Volkodav]

The 757 formed the basis of Boeings losing contender against Lockheeds P-7.  Its greater length could have led to some very interesting options including a stand off jammer.

[Weaver]

Yes it'd be excellent. There have been various Russian bombers converted into stand-off jammers.