But then, I'm partial to the F-111 since that was the aircraft I worked on in the Air Force. It was a shame to retire those Spark Varks.
Posted on 06/15/2007 6:51:38 AM PDT by RDTF
ABOARD THE USS NIMITZ IN THE GULF – A secret aircraft that debuted in Vietnam and usually protects U.S. fighter jets has taken on a different and crucial task over Iraq – trying to stop the scourge of roadside bombs by jamming ground signals from mobile phones and garage door openers. The EA-6B Prowler is thought to be one of the most effective U.S. weapons against the bombs, the biggest killer of American service members in Iraq. But no one can be sure: Even supporters say its effectiveness is hard to measure.
The aircraft debuted at the tail end of Vietnam and was used in Kosovo and the 1991 Gulf War, escorting U.S. attack jets while jamming military radios, hostile radars and air defense batteries aimed at them. These days the Prowler focuses its jammers on smaller signals: those of mobile phones and garage door openers that are used to trigger roadside bombs in Iraq, said U.S. Navy Capt. David Woods, 49, of Ogden, Utah.
Often, it's hard to prove that a roadside bomb failed to explode because of Prowler jamming signals, Woods said. Still, he's confident the plane is making a difference against the bombs, which the military calls improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
“When it's flying we have greater success and fewer IEDs going off,” Woods said. “It's kind of an insurance policy.”
Woods, the commander of Carrier Air Wing Eleven and one of the Navy's most experienced Prowler pilots, says few people understand the EA-6B's mission, which is to control the electromagnetic spectrum so allies can use it – but not enemies.
The Prowler and its electronic warfare system is so valuable it has never been exported – even to close allies. Details about the training of crew members are secret.
(Excerpt) Read more at cfx.signonsandiego.com ...
But then, I'm partial to the F-111 since that was the aircraft I worked on in the Air Force. It was a shame to retire those Spark Varks.
Understood - I’ve asked the mod to remove my previous post.
You can get cell phone jammers from England and India, but it is illegal to use them in the USA.
Yes, but then you'll have people asking you, "Is that an antenna sticking out of your pants or are you just happy to see me"?
Yes, that was here in Michigan. Men were buying up Tracfones at WalMarts here and taking them back to TX to “sell at a profit.” I guess they don’t have WalMarts in TX. Also, they had removed the battery chargers and SIM cards. I guess you get more money for them that way in TX.
If they weren't given back so the Feds could trace them and catch the big fish, it's just one more reason to send Michael Chertoff back to the bosom of Rudy Giuliani and New Jersey.
Under 40 here. I know what it means and hope that someone knows what SAEDA is ;)
It’s kind of like asking “what’s treason”? Or the meaning of “is”...
And it will burn a Sherriff’s patrol car to the ground with electronic warfare only :)
I guess we’ll never know...
Shape can only overcome so much. The angle of incidence is still an important factor. Have you ever heard of flying under the radar?
Identification of the critical information to be protected
Analysis of the threats
Analysis of the vulnerabilities
Assessment of the risks
Application of the countermeasures
Part of our mission in West Germany was to jam our arty units during training exercises. We’d let them get near the end of their end-of-day reports and then jam the last few lines. Used to drive them nuts, especially at 3 A.M.
I guess we should all relax and not worry about that. Afterall, cell phones slipping through the Feds' fingers to terrorists in Iraq means that we're helping them to fight over there, so they don't fight us over here -- right?
/s
“How about installing the prowler type equipment into all Military ground vehicles?”
You need a big power source.
Had a lot of fun dring FTXs with this thing. There is something to be said for being in tactical units.
Especially in the assembly process.
Regarding the scanner, some years ago I was on the bridge of a Coast Guard ship, and the PA system for shouting instructions to the deck was clearly labeled ‘Radio Shack.’
Just radiate ever suspected safe house...or randomly hit every block.
a tad ugly but totally beautiful.
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