Why an A-6F would be a poor electronic-warfare platform

Would an A-6F Intruder II electronic-warfare aircraft be a step toward the EA-18G Growler?

No. Its crew arrangement is judged poorly suited to electronic warfare compared with the Prowler or Growler approach.

An Intruder-based electronic-warfare conversion is rejected because its crew arrangement is judged too limited for the mission. A Prowler-like or Growler-like platform would provide a better basis for carrier electronic warfare. If an improved Intruder appeared, it would more naturally continue the strike-aircraft line. No detailed conversion design is developed beyond that crew requirement.