The General Dynamics–Grumman EF-111A Raven is a retired electronic-warfare aircraft that was designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturers General Dynamics and Grumman.

Sep 10, 2013 · You’re flying in a two-seater General Dynamics EF-111 Raven, a heavily modified F-111 Aardvark strike swing-wing bomber. However, unlike the Aardvark, your Raven doesn’t actually possess any attack or strike capabilities.

Oct 5, 2024 · While unarmed, the EF-111A Raven gave the US Air Force a fighter jet-based dedicated electronic warfare platform.

EF-111A Ravens, known affectionately as "Fat Tails" and "Spark Varks," (the F-111 is known as the Aardvark), served as tactical electronic jamming aircraft in the 1980s and 1990s. The U.S. Air Force received 42 EF-111As between 1981 and 1985, and the aircraft supported several USAF operations in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mar 5, 2025 · How does an unarmed electronic warfare jet score an aerial victory? In one of the most bizarre dogfights of the Gulf War, an EF-111 Raven forced an Iraqi Mirage F1 into the ground—without firing...

Sep 27, 2022 · The very first wave attack of the H-Hour strike of Operation Desert Storm (Jan. 17, 1991) included five EF-111 Ravens on two simultaneous low-level penetration escort missions through the thickest concentration of enemy fighters, SAM’s and AAA threats since the Red River Valley and Hanoi in the Vietnam War.

Grumman's EF-111A prototypes staged their first flights in 1977. After two years of testing the Air Force gave the contractor the go-ahead to convert 42 F-111As into the EF-111 configuration.

Apr 22, 2019 · The Raven’s principle mission types were to provide a standoff jamming barrage to disguise incoming air raids, direct escort of strike aircraft, and battlefield jamming support. The EF-111’s success in these roles in the Gulf War staved off premature retirement, although their role was handed over to US Navy EA-6Bs in 1999. IN COMBAT

Jan 21, 2020 · EF-111As, together with EC-130 Compass Call communications jamming aircraft and the 39 EA-6Bs of the US Navy and US Marine Corps, blinded and deafened the IADS’ radars and communications network on the first night, rendering any …

Development of the EF-111A Raven ("Spark Varks") began in January 1975 when the Air Force contracted with Grumman Aerospace to modify two F-111As to serve as electronic warfare platforms.