A-6A EW suite
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 6:04 pm
While playing the “Out of Megiddo” scenario (well written scenario btw) I noticed some odd things about B570 that I thought I should report.
First off, the A-6A seems to be lacking a proper EW suite. Though I didn’t have time to thoroughly investigate this, a quick look at some of my sources (e.g. D.R. Jenkins “A-6 Intruder", Volume 33, WarbirdTech series) indicated that even the early A-6As had a pretty decent EW kit consisting of two AN/ALR-15 RWRs, AN/ALQ-41 and AN/ALQ-51 countermeasures sets and one AN/ALE-18 chaff/flare dispenser (no mention of the ALE-20). The two ALR-15s were soon replaced by an AN/APR-25 RHAW and AN/APR-27 missile launch warning receiver and the jammers were replaced by the more advanced AN/ALQ-100 and (eventually) AN/ALQ-126. Furthermore the ALE-18 was replaced by the AN/ALE-29A chaff/flare dispenser.
(It is interesting to note that in the same scenario the less sophisticated A-7E is better protected since it's fitted with the ALQ-126).
Starting with AFC (Airframe Change) 268, it appears that the APR-25/27 were replaced by the AN/ALR-45(V) and AN/ALR-50(V)
First off, the A-6A seems to be lacking a proper EW suite. Though I didn’t have time to thoroughly investigate this, a quick look at some of my sources (e.g. D.R. Jenkins “A-6 Intruder", Volume 33, WarbirdTech series) indicated that even the early A-6As had a pretty decent EW kit consisting of two AN/ALR-15 RWRs, AN/ALQ-41 and AN/ALQ-51 countermeasures sets and one AN/ALE-18 chaff/flare dispenser (no mention of the ALE-20). The two ALR-15s were soon replaced by an AN/APR-25 RHAW and AN/APR-27 missile launch warning receiver and the jammers were replaced by the more advanced AN/ALQ-100 and (eventually) AN/ALQ-126. Furthermore the ALE-18 was replaced by the AN/ALE-29A chaff/flare dispenser.
(It is interesting to note that in the same scenario the less sophisticated A-7E is better protected since it's fitted with the ALQ-126).
Starting with AFC (Airframe Change) 268, it appears that the APR-25/27 were replaced by the AN/ALR-45(V) and AN/ALR-50(V)