Studies of air combat in the Vietnam War inevitably focus on the
MiG-killing fighter engagements, B-52 onslaughts or tactical strikes
on the Hanoi region. However, underlying all these was the secretive
'electron war' in which highly-skilled electronic warfare officers
duelled with Soviet and North Vietnamese radar operators in the
attempt to enable US strike forces to reach their targets with minimal
losses. Orbiting at the edge of heavily-defended territory, the
vulnerable EB-66s identified and jammed the enemy's radar frequencies
with electronic emissions and chaff to protect the American bombers.
Their hazardous missions resulted in six combat losses, four of them
to SA-2 missiles and one to a MiG-21, and they became prime targets
for North Vietnamese defences when their importance was realised. This
illustrated study focuses on the oft-overlooked B-66 series, examining
their vital contributions to the Vietnam War and the bravery of those
who operated them in some of the most challenging situations
imaginable. Author Peter E. Davies also explores how the technology
and tactics devised during the period made possible the development of
the EF-111A Raven, an invaluable component of the Desert Storm combat
scenario over Iraq and Kuwait in 1991, and the US Navy's EA-6B
Prowler, which entered service towards the end of the Vietnam War.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781472845061
Publisert
2020
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Vendor
Osprey Publishing
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter