Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130: What To Know About The US Navy 'Zappers' (2024)

VAQ-130 is the oldest electronic warfare unit in the US Navy. It has been involved in combat action from the Vietnam War to the US and Allied efforts to provide safe passage for commercial vessels off the coast of Yemen. Read on to learn more about this amazing squadron.

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The origin and some operational highlights of VAQ-130

The US Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Zero (VAQ-130) is the oldest electronic warfare squadron. VAQ-130 adopted its nickname “Zappers” and its distinctive Zapper Dragon insignia in 1959, when the squadron was commissioned.

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In 1959, the “Zappers” were designated the Carrier Early Warning Squadron Thirteen (VAW-13). At that time, the unit flew the Douglas AD-5Q/EA-1F, the electronic countermeasures variant of the Douglass A-1 Skyraider. Fifty-four AD-5Q/EA-1F’s were converted from the AD-5N night-attack variant (239 of this variant were manufactured).

During the Vietnam War, AD-5Q/EA-1F detachments operated from a few aircraft carriers on station in the Gulf of Tonkin.

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AD-5Q/EA-1F Skyraider (Electronic warfare variant)

General Specifications

Data

Manufacturer

Douglas Aircraft Company

Length

40 ft.

Wingspan

50 ft.

Height

15 ft., 8 in.

Empty Weight

12,097 lb.

Gross Weight

25,000 lb.

Powerplant

1x 2,700 horsepower Wright R-3350-26-WA 2,700 engine

Maximum Speed

290 mph at 17,200 ft.

Service ceiling

23,100 ft.

Range

1,358 miles

Crew

Pilot, navigator, and two ECM operators

Details provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command

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An overview of the Navy’s electronic warfare mission in Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, AD-5Q/EA-1F detachments operated from a few aircraft carriers stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin. Generally, an AD-5Q/EA-1F mission consisted of a pair of aircraft flying in advance of a strike formation. Once in position, they would monitor a designated area while maintaining their course off the coast to look for enemy radar.

Once a North Vietnamese radar site was discovered, the aircraft employed their jamming equipment and dropped chaff to prevent the radar operators from locking on to the incoming strike aircraft.

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On October 1, 1968, VAW-13 was redesignated VAQ-130 and placed under the operational control of Tactical Electronic Warfare Wing Thirteen. On December 27, 1968, the final AD-5Q/EA-1F combat flight took place when the aircraft deployed from USS John F. Kennedy (CVA 67).

Operation Desert Fox

Due to the interference from Saddam Hussein's regime, with UN inspectors during their search for weapons of mass destruction, or the outright refusal to allow them access to certain sites, President Clinton authorized Operation Desert Fox.

By the conclusion of Operation Desert Fox, which lasted four days, the Zappers launched 18 HARM missiles...

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The primary focus of this operation was to degrade the ability of Saddam’s regime to manufacture and use weapons of mass destruction. The main targets of this bombing campaign were weapons research and development facilities, weapon and supply depots, air defense installations, and the barracks and headquarters of the Republican Guard.

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Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130: What To Know About The US Navy 'Zappers' (4)

Photo: USAF

The role of the Zappers during “Desert Fox”

Within Operation Desert Fox, the Zappers were a crucial element in support of the Navy’s mission and role. The Zappers flew in excess of 45 combat hours on 18 strike missions. By the conclusion of Operation Desert Fox, which lasted four days, the Zappers launched 18 HARM missiles, ensuring that follow-on aircraft could deliver their 345.63 tons of ordnance without losing a single strike aircraft.

The Zappers during Operation Iraqi Freedom and operating over Syria

The early days of Operation Iraqi Freedom

The Zappers supported Operation Iraqi Freedom from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). During this deployment, the Zappers fired approximately 35 HARM missiles in direct support of air strikes. For this action, the Zappers were awarded the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle “E”, CNO Safety “S” and finally, the Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award, for being the highest performing EA-6B Prowler squadron in 2003.

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Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130: What To Know About The US Navy 'Zappers' (5)

Photo: US Navy

Information table for the EA-6B Prowler (Electronic warfare variant)

General Specifications

Data

Manufacturer

Grumman Aerospace Corporation

Length

59 ft., 10 in.

Wingspan

53 ft.

Height

16 ft., 3 in.

Empty Weight

32,162 lb.

Gross Weight

65,000 lb.

Powerplant

2x 11,200 lb. static thrust Pratt & Whitney J52-P-408 turbojets

Maximum Speed

610 mph at sea level

Service ceiling

38,000 ft.

Range

2,400 miles

Armament

Provision for AGM-88 HARM

Crew

One pilot and three electronic counter-measures officers

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Details provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command

Ops over Syria

By June 2016, the Zappers were deployed with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). At this time, the Zappers supported Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria while utilizing their fairly new EA-18 Growler, having begun transitioning to this aircraft in 2011. This deployment lasted seven months, and the USS Eisenhower was stationed in the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.

The Zappers achieved a 100% sortie completion rate and flew an incredible 308 sorties...

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Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130: What To Know About The US Navy 'Zappers' (6)

Photo: Department of Defense

During this combat deployment, the Zappers achieved a 100% sortie completion rate and flew an incredible 308 sorties. In December 2016, the Zappers departed the Mediterranean Sea and returned to their home port of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on December 31.

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Information table for the EA-18 Growler (Electronic Attack variant)

General Specifications

Data

Manufacturer

The Boeing Company

Date Deployed

First flight in October 2004. Initial operational capability (IOC) in September 2009 with first deployment for VAQ-132 in November 2010.

Unit Cost

$67 million

Primary Function

Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA)

Length

60.2 feet

Wingspan

44.9 feet

Height

16 feet

Empty Weight

33,094 pounds

Recovery Weight

48,000 pounds

Powerplant

2x F414-GE-400 turbofan engines. 22,000 pounds (9,977 kg) static thrust per engine

Service ceiling

50,000 feet

Range

Combat: 850+ nautical miles with two AIM-120, three ALQ-99, two AGM-88 HARM, two 480 gallon external fuel tanks

Armament

Two AIM-120, two AGM-88 HARM, three ALQ-99

Crew

2

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Details provided by the US Navy

Zapping the Houthis

Most recently, VAQ-130 supported Operation Prosperity Garden on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. This operation began in 2023. The purpose is to defend innocent shipping and degrade the capabilities of the Iranian-sponsored Houthi militant group in Yemen.

Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130: What To Know About The US Navy 'Zappers' (8)

Photo: US Navy

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While supporting this mission, the Zappers executed continuous combat operations in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Straight, and the Gulf of Aden. Over the course of their involvement, VAQ-130 conducted 700 combat missions, which degraded the Houthi ability to threaten innocent shipping. Additionally, VAQ-130 supported the launch of approximately 120 standard missiles and dozens of tomahawk missiles by US and coalition forces.

VAQ-130 and the Navy’s electronic warfare effort

Today, the EA-18G Growler is the backbone of the Navy’s electronic warfare program, and it continues to receive funding in order to modernize its capabilities.

VAQ-130 and all electronic warfare units in the US military will continue to be of great importance as all modern militaries rely on communications equipment that utilizes broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) to conduct military operations. This equipment allows military units to communicate, transmit data, provide navigation and timing information, and maintain command and control for deployed units.

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Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130: What To Know About The US Navy 'Zappers' (9)

Photo: Department of Defense

Given the EMS's great importance, it is also of the utmost importance to be able to dominate it when the need arises to confront hostile forces. Fortunately for the Navy, VAQ-130 and its EA-18G growlers provide excellent options for operating within the EMS.

These options include the ability to carry up to five AN/ALQ-99 tactical jammer systems pods mounted under the wings and fuselage. These integrate with its internal AN/ALQ-218 electronic warfare (EW) system for detection and jamming.

The VAQ-130's skills and capabilities will be in great need now and in the future.

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The Boeing EA-18G Growler shares over 90% of its characteristics with the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet.

Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130: What To Know About The US Navy 'Zappers' (2024)

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