<p>Reconnaissance and control assets are just two of many disciplines that the US Air Force undertakes in order for its main force to operate to maximum effect. Other aircraft are similarly employed on other tasks, including those dedicated to defense suppression, airborne command and control, tanking and rescue.
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<p>Closely allied to most tactical operations are the defense suppression aircraft, which fly in the strike package to protect it from surface-to-air defenses. Despite most tactical aircraft carrying their own electronic countermeasures, the use of dedicated electronic warfare platforms is employed to complete the disruption of enemy air defense systems. For the US Air Force, the General Dynamics/Grumman EF-111A Raven is the chosen vehicle, a version of the F-111 bomber with delicate receivers to detect enemy radars, and powerful jammers to then deceive or negate their signals. Since it is based on the F-111, the Raven is particularly good in the strike escort role as it has the performance and avionics to accompany strike aircraft into the target area. It retains the ability to provide jamming from stand-off orbits. Providing a different kind of stand-off jamming is the EC-130H Compass Call, which can jam communications networks.
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<p>Similarly, the USAF's main anti-radar weapon can accompany, or often precede, attack forces. This is the McDonnell Douglas F-4G, a 'Wild Weasel' version of the trusty Phantom, with sensitive radar homing and warning system and missiles which home on the signals from hostile radars. Whereas the EF-111A interferes with the ability of radars to provide the right information for the defense network, the F-4G presents a hard-kill option.
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<p>EF-111As and EC-130Hs are fairly recent conversions, and their continued use for some years is assured. However, the F-4Gs are now old, and the future is less rosy. To cater for the shortfall, the USAF has fitted 100 new F-16 Block 50/52D aircraft with the HARM Targeting System Further development could see the F-16 become the main defense suppression platform for the service in years to come, while the F-15E may also prove to have the right credentials for the job.
