I felt the two-man operation (and really, 1-man as far as EW went) in the F-4G was a far better HARM-platform than the 3-ECMO EA-6. It was due to the way the systems worked...easier workload in the Weasel.

On the other hand, the 1-man replacement for the F-4G is relatively easy workoad...but not as capable, systems-wise.

For the EF-111 vs EA-6 debate, they both use(d) three ALQ-99 pods. The big difference is the EF routed them through conduits to the 'football' antenna on the top of the tail. That's the hard-wire limitation that MD10 is referring to.

The EA-6, having the pods on wing or fuselage stations, used built-in antennas on the pods themselves (I think), plus the 'football' on top of the tail.

Why did it take three guys to work the same three pods that the EF-111 carried? I never understood why. From what I saw, both were equally capable in the target area.

I think if the Growler's EW is properly designed, it will have spectrum converage and an intuitive operator interface so that it is as good...or I would hope, better...than the Prowler.

Biggest advantages of the steaming Growler: it will have a full-up air-to-air capability, so it isn't just an electronic sitting duck, and I believe it can carry a plethora of offensive weapons: HARMs for soft-kills; JDAM and LGBs for hard-kills.