Issue Brief #8
June 19, 2001
Improved
Capabilities (ICAP) III:
The
EA‑6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft is the only tactical airborne
platform able to jam enemy radar and carry the High‑Speed
Anti‑Radiation Missile (HARM) necessary for the protection of allied
aircrews. A successor to the Prowler will not become operational in the near
future; therefore equipment upgrades are needed to maintain the electronic
warfare capability of our Armed Forces. The
latest of these upgrades is ICAP III, an upgrade package that would modernize
Prowler avionics to meet the threat posed by improvements in Integrated Air
Defenses.
During
Operation Allied Force, General Short, commanding the air campaign, dictated
that no allied aircrews would be permitted into the theater without a Prowler as
part of the strike package. Like
Iraqi air defenses, Serbian anti‑aircraft artillery and Surface to Air
Missiles (SAMs) were a direct threat to our aircraft.
Prowlers negated those threats and helped allied forces win the war over
Kosovo without a single combat casualty.
While
the currently configured Prowlers proved their worth in Desert Storm and Allied
Force, the threat is increasing. Outdated
SA‑2 and SA‑6 SAMs are being replaced by advanced systems like the
SA‑10. Many potential
adversaries also use ground‑based observers, equipped with night vision
goggles and cell phones. The ICAP
III upgrade will enable crews to meet the new threat, ensuring the allied
aircrews will be able to carry out their missions and return home.
The
heart of this upgrade is the USQ‑113 communications countermeasures set.
This system is more powerful and offers expanded frequency coverage,
allowing the Prowler to cut off the cell phones of enemy observers and the data
communications of advanced SAMs. This
effectively takes the "integration" out of an enemy's Integrated Air
Defense system. In addition to the
installation of the USQ‑113 set, the Multi‑mission Airborne Tactical
Terminal (MATT) will be installed on all Prowlers.
Right now, individual Prowlers cannot collect information on new emitters
and pass them back for targeting. The
MATT will enable each Prowler to represent and direct a strike against enemy
emitters. The
"connectivity," the ability to share tactical data and targeting
information with other aircraft, is critical to the Prowler's mission.
Included with the MATT are improved data modems and satellite
communications antennas, each helping to improve communication between allied
aircraft.
ICAP
III will improve Prowler radar jamming capabilities as well.
The most important advance in this area is the ability to selectively jam
active radar frequencies, known as "reactive jamming."
Enemy defenses are becoming increasingly frequency agile, and our forces
must be too. The reactive system
will enable timely jamming against an increased number of threat radars, provide
improved jamming power management, and provide ideal threat response management
including radar, communications, and HARM capabilities.
Implementation of the ICAP III upgrades will keep both our Prowlers and
our electronic warfare capability viable through 2015.
Congress
should continue to support improvements to our electronic warfare capability.
ICAP III is not only an investment in the EA‑6B; it is an
investment in our ability to achieve air superiority in any future conflict.
The safety of our aircrews must remain the top priority of our
commanders. The effective use of the EA‑6B Prowler is a critical
element in this effort. ICAP III
will help to ensure the effectiveness of electronic warfare and the safety of
our pilots.
Mark Kirk
Member of Congress (IL-10)
Electronic Warfare Working Group
Congressman Joe Pitts, Founder and Co-Chairman
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202 225-2411 phone 
202 225-2013 fax