Why was the EF-111A unique?

Short answer

During the 1991 Gulf War it was the only unarmed crewed aircraft to fly so deep into Iraqi airspace, usually accompanying strike packages on deep-penetration missions. It carried no weapons: its speed and acceleration were its main means of self-defense, and its defining feature was the AN/ALQ-99E jamming system, derived from the Navy's ALQ-99 fitted to the Prowler.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

¿Por qué fue único el EF-111A?

An unarmed electronic warfare aircraft

The EF-111A Raven is a now-retired electronic warfare aircraft. It carried no weapons: its speed and acceleration were its main means of self-defense. It was crewed by two people, a pilot and an electronic warfare officer. In 1991, during the Gulf War, 18 EF-111As flew combat missions against Iraq, usually accompanying strike packages on deep-penetration missions, and the EF-111A was the only unarmed crewed aircraft to fly so far into Iraqi airspace.

The AN/ALQ-99E jamming system

The Raven's main feature was the AN/ALQ-99E jamming system, developed from the Navy's ALQ-99 fitted to the Prowler. Its engines were later replaced by the more powerful TF30-P-9 used in the F-111D. The cockpit was reorganized: all flight and navigation instruments were moved to the pilot's side.

Conversions, cost, and retirement

The program covered 42 conversions, including two prototypes. The total cost of those converted airframes was $1.5 billion. The last EF-111s were retired on 2 May 1998.