In RL, what planes had ECM pods in vietnam and how often used?

[tmdgm]

In real life in Vietnam, what planes used ECM pods and what % of the time? Just wondering as I've been adding ECM pods to my campaigns, but not sure if it's realistic. I'm guessing F-4's didn't, but Thuds probably did?

[gerald14]

In real life in Vietnam, what planes used ECM pods and what % of the time? Just wondering as I've been adding ECM pods to my campaigns, but not sure if it's realistic. I'm guessing F-4's didn't, but Thuds probably did?

 

Yes it is true, F-4's did have ECM. Just like in mission "BOLO" when Robin Olds use ECM to fake out as F-105's on a strike.

Later in the war F-4's use ECM

[jtin]

Been researching Linebacker II,

F-4 specialized chaff aircraft were used,

EB-66s had ECM internally, also used

F-105s had ECM pods

of course, B-52Ds had the better ECM than the Gs

 

F-4s did use QRC-160s as did F-105s

 

Oh, and they're all supporting aircraft on strikes (specialized) except for B-52s

Edited May 26, 2007 by jtin

[ezlead]

During Linebacker I almost all attack and fighter aircraft had ECM of some sort. They all had flare stations. (For the handheld IR missile launchers that NVA had). The aircraft flying down south used ECM and flares. The Navy and Marines flying up north would not go in unless EA-6a's were on station jamming missile and AAA radar. The Air Force even tasked VMCJ out of Da Nang to escort BUFF's on some night strikes. As they say "Been there,Done That.

You would not be wrong to put ECM on all Birds. I just don't remember what they were using., It's been a while.

[tmdgm]

During Linebacker I almost all attack and fighter aircraft had ECM of some sort. They all had flare stations. (For the handheld IR missile launchers that NVA had). The aircraft flying down south used ECM and flares. The Navy and Marines flying up north would not go in unless EA-6a's were on station jamming missile and AAA radar. The Air Force even tasked VMCJ out of Da Nang to escort BUFF's on some night strikes. As they say "Been there,Done That.

You would not be wrong to put ECM on all Birds. I just don't remember what they were using., It's been a while.

 

 

Thanks for the feedback. I guess the good news is I haven't been cheating by adding the pods. Bad news is, I have alot more to go for LB1 and LB2. Plus, I think I have to restart my campaigns to get them available. Oh well.

[+JediMaster]

Actually, although the F-4's in Op Bolo used the QRC 160s, they weren't standard fit at that time. The planes were specially wired and had controls put into the cockpits for them.

That was to make the NVAF think they were F-105s, which did carry them, and not F-4s, which did not.

As a side benefit, some SA-2s were launched at the F-4s in Op Bolo, but all missed thanks to the QRC's.

[dirtbikemike]

I worked in the ECM shop for H&MS-11, MAG-11, 1st Marine Air Wing during my tour in Vietnam 69-70. I went to school on both passive and active ECM systems at MCAF Tustin in 1968. The schools included the APR-25, APR-27 and the ALQ-100. In Vietnam, I was worked primarily on the passive ECM systems, specializing on the APR-25 and 27. We had the ALE chaff systems, but they were fairly simple and usually only had control box problems. We also had ALQ-81 and ALQ-88 pods. 99 seems familiar too. I spent most of my time in DaNang with Marine TA-4Fs, A-6s, EA-6s and F-4s, but my skills took me down to Chu Lai to MAG-12 for A-4s and to Marble Mountain for MAG-16s helos. I also spent a lot of time sweeping aircraft to detect line loss in the coax cables.

 

Mike Lambert Cpl USMC H&MS-11 Vietnam