News Release
For immediate release
May 9, 2002
Defense
Bill Improves EA-6B Prowler Readiness
Washington
-- The House today passed the FY 2003 National Defense Authorization Act, which
paves the way for significant improvements to the nation’s electronic warfare
capabilities, specifically the EA-6B Prowler.
The Prowler is the only U.S. aircraft that is dedicated to suppression
of enemy air defenses. The Prowler
is continually in high demand to support military operations.
“I
am pleased that the EA-6B Prowler is finally receiving the attention it deserves
in the budget process. The Prowler
is critical to the U.S. and our allies for protecting our pilots and for gaining
and maintaining air superiority. The
EW Working Group has worked hard over the past several years to raise awareness
as to the importance of EW in general and the need to address major
shortfalls in our EW capabilities, specifically the EA-6B Prowler,” said
Congressman Joe Pitts (PA-16), who founded the EW Working Group.
The
FY 03 Defense Authorization Act, by authorizing $327.5 million (an increase of
$104 million over the budget request), makes a serious effort to address some of
the most glaring needs of the Prowler. The
bill includes the following provisions:
- A total of $85.8 million was included to procure and install wing center sections (WCSs) and outer wing panels (OWPs). At present, because of the WCSIP fatigue problem, the Navy has restricted the flight envelope of over 40% of the EA-6B aircraft, eight have been grounded, and 18 additional aircraft will reach the equivalent fatigue limits by the middle of 2003. The Prowler must retain the capability to perform high-G turns to avoid enemy surface-to-air missiles. Wing panels are essential to maintaining the capability of the Prowler to perform high-G turns – thus saving lives. The budget request included $45.8 million for 15 WCS and the House Armed Service Committee provided an additional $40 million for four more WCSs and five OWPs.
- An
increase of $35 million to procure the USQ-113 communications jammer.
The
USQ-113 provides expanded frequency coverage and advanced communications
jamming waveform technologies that are critical to defeating cell phones and
other enemy communications devices. This
ability to “listen in” and cut-off enemy lines of communication is
important in Afghanistan. Unfortunately,
the Navy has only 35 USQ-113’s available for CINC operations worldwide.
- An
increase of $29 million to procure band 9/10 transmitters.
The Navy and Marine Corps have an inventory requirement for 263
transmitters and they still need 43 transmitters to meet the requirement.
Procurement of Band 9/10 transmitters removes duplicative training,
maintenance, and logistics and the procurement allow the Navy to retire 275
aging Band 9 transmitters.
- An
increase of $10 million for the Airborne Electronic Attack follow-on.
With the completion of the
Airborne Electronic Attack Analysis of Alternatives (AEA AoA), it is vital
that Services continue to move forward and provide funding for the
next-generation electronic attack aircraft.
This provision will help ensure that the follow-on platform will stay
on schedule to replace the Prowler without any degradation in our electronic
attack capability.
“As
a Member of Congress who served on Prowler aircrews, these are needed
improvements. The U.S. is the only
country that conducts electronic warfare well.
It means that allied aircrews can carry out their missions in harm’s
way while returning home safely. Prowlers
ensure that a fight between the U.S. and an enemy is not a fair fight.
Victory comes swiftly to the Americans due in part to the Prowler
advantage,” said Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10), also co-chair of the EW
Working Group.
“As
someone who represents NAS Whidbey – primary home for Prowlers – I can tell
you that it is no secret that electronic warfare saves lives and that the EA-6B
Prowler is critical to our EW/SEAD mission.
The defense authorization bill takes a positive first step in addressing
the critical shortfalls in Prowler readiness.
We still have a long way to go to ensure that the Prowler remains mission
capable until a follow on jamming platform enters the service.
I applaud Chairman Stump for his leadership in supporting these top
priorities for our Prowler Fleet,” said Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02), a
co-chair of the Electronic Warfare Working Group.
For more information on the EW Working Group, please contact Amy Jones in the office of Rep. Joseph R. Pitts at (202) 225-2411.
Electronic Warfare Working Group
Congressman Joe Pitts, Founder and Chairman
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202 225-2411 phone 
202 225-2013 fax