"Thomas Schoene" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Kevin Brooks wrote:
"Thomas Schoene" wrote in message
hlink.net...

This contract has nothing to do with the Air Force, since the USAF
is not actually planning to get any EA-18s. The Air Force solution
appears to be EB-52s equipped for very powerful stand-off jamming,
as wll as fairly masive hard-kill defense suppression.

Tom, the EB-52 remains in the mythical category, last I knew.

I agree it's not confirmed (hence the "appears to be" in my post).
However,
it's looking increasingly likely, IMO.

Not too sure about that. I suspect the USAF is more interested in keeping
what remaining heavy bomber capability it enjoys from the remaining B-52's
than it would be in turning a chunk of them into EB's.


The
EA-6 is considered a true joint asset, and the USAF contributes to
its manning.

Yes, but this does not contradict my post at all. The EA-18 is apparently
not being bought joint (at least not yet) and the procurement numbers
being
discussed seem to be predicated on needing to equip ten carrier airwings
with six aircraft each, without provision for expeditionary squadrons.
Sure it will be tasked jointly; everything is these days. But there
probably won't be any to deploy with Air Force AEFs.

And the EA-18 would also be jointly manned, and jointly used. Ten CAW's
worth provides a few left ashore, which is the way they currently handle the
support of the AEF's with EA-6's. Granted there has been talk of wanting
more capability, but there has also been talk of using UAV's for this role
as well.

Brooks


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