The General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven is an electronic-warfare aircraft designed to replace the EB-66 Destroyer in the United States Air Force.
Its crews and maintainers often called it the “Spark-Vark”, a play on the F-111’s “Aardvark” nickname.
The USAF contracted with Grumman in 1974 to convert some existing General Dynamics F-111As into electronic warfare/electronic countermeasures (ECM) aircraft.
The USAF had considered the Navy / Marine Corps Grumman EA-6B Prowler, but desired a penetrating aircraft with supersonic speed.
The EF-111 entered service in 1983 and served until its retirement in 1998.
Electronic warfare conversion of the F-111A, 42 conversions including two prototypes.
Specifications
Crew
2
Length
68 ft 10 in (20.98 m)
Height
15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
Airfoil
Root
NACA 64-210.68
Tip
NACA 64-209.80
Empty weight
46,100 lb (20,910 kg)
Gross weight
79,000 lb (35,800 kg)
Max take-off weight
88,000 lb (39,900 kg)
Wing span
Spread
70 ft (21.3 m)
Swept
33 ft 11 in (10.34 m)
Wing area
Spread
655.5 ft2 (60.9 m2)
Swept
550 ft2 (51.1 m2)
Powerplant
2 × Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-3 turbofans, 10,750 lbf (47.8 kN) thrust each dry, 18,500 lbf (82 kN) with afterburner
Performance
Maximum speed
1,450 mph (2,330 km/h, 1,260 kn)
Maximum speed
Mach 2.2
Range
2,100 mi (3,390 km, 1,830 nmi) ; with 6 AIM-54 missiles and 23,000 lb fuel internal
Ferry range
3,200 mi (5,150 km, 2,780 nmi) ; with 2 x 450 gal external tanks
