Unleash the Gargoyles
The General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven (or "Spark-Vark" to its crews and maintainers) formed the backbone of the United States Air Force (USAF) electronic-warfare, and in particular airborne electronic attack, capability for the best part of two decades. Although small in total numbers operated (only 42 were built), it served in essentially every conflict involving the USAF for this period ranging from Operation El Dorado Canyon against Libya through to the various conflicts in the Middle East and former Yugoslavia. It could not serve for ever though and especially as the USAF retired its stablemate, the F-111, the costs of sustaining this small fleet would increase significantly. This was not a capability the USAF wished to give up though. The alternate offered was to rely on US Navy (USN) EA-6B Prowlers, even with some USAF officers flying, which was unpalatable to the USAF.
Thus in 1997, the USAF requested offers for a replacement Electronic Attack platform. The purposely told offerors that they would not entertain clean sheet designs but rather wanted variants of types already in service. This pretty much limited options to variants of the F-15 or F-16. Although the F-15 was viewed by many as the best choice in terms of overall capability, it also came at a higher cost. As a result, it was also not a surprise to most when the Lockheed Martin F-16 based offer was selected as the basis for the new capability.
This was designated as the EF-16G. This was a two-seat version based upon the F-16D based Block 52 model - with the rear cockpit configured for use by a dedicated electronic warfare officer. It included new Northrop Grumman AN/APG-80 Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, added AN/ALQ-218 wideband receivers on the wingtips and ALQ-99 high and low-band tactical jamming pods underwing (up to 4 pods are typically carried). It also removed the M61 cannon and used the space freed up by this and its ammunition for more internal dedicated airborne electronic attack equipment. This was complimented by a prominent, raised dorsal spine running from the cockpit to the tail fin also holding more avionics including satellite communication antennas for long-distance data relay. There were also a number of prominent antennas on the nose of the aircraft. All of these gave the EA-16G a full spectrum electronic warfare suite that is able to provide detection and jamming against all known surface-to-air threats.
Also often used are conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), which allow it to carry extra fuel along the fuselage sides without occupying underwing stations which are typically reserved for the ALQ-99 pods.
Normally the type operates without weapons but in a high intensity warzone, it has been known to carry a pair of AIM-9 missiles on outboard stations for self-defence. In an attack role, it is also often seen with a pair of AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) missiles in the same location. Sometimes a mix of one AIM-9 and one AGM-88 is also seen.
Upon introduction to service in 1999, the new type quickly gained the nickname “Gargoyle” based upon the mix of its “G” designator and ugly appearance (due to the protuberances and similar). 72 of the type were produced and they continue to operate to the present.
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Top: An EF-16G from the 429th EECS (Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron) 'Black Falcons' which had been re-activated in August 1999.
Bottom: A machine from the 430th EECS (Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron) which had been re-activated in December 1999.