Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:34:05-2:34:35

What preceded the EA-18G Growler in US Navy service?

A short viewer exchange places the Growler in a carrier electronic-warfare lineage running through the EF-10B Skyknight and EA-6B Prowler.

EA-6B ProwlerEA-18G GrowlerEF-10B SkyknightElectronic WarfareUS Navy
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Question

Was the EF-10 Skyknight the US Navy's first electronic-warfare carrier aircraft?

Short answer

It is treated here as the first purpose-built US Navy carrier electronic-warfare aircraft, followed by the EA-6B Prowler and then the EA-18G Growler.

Notes

The exchange clarifies that electronic support did not begin with the Growler. The EF-10B Skyknight established an early purpose-built carrier role, the EA-6B Prowler became its successor, and the EA-18G Growler continued the mission on a newer airframe. This lineage helps explain electronic attack as an enduring air-group function rather than a recent accessory. It also separates a purpose-built electronic-warfare aircraft from earlier platforms that may have carried jamming equipment only as an adaptation.