Wildenberg, Thomas Spy Planes, Intruders, and Wild Weasels

Electronic Warfare in the Skies over Vietnam

The air war over Vietnam, often referred to as the first high-tech air war, was the first in which electronic warfare (EW) played a decisive role. EW served not only as a means of combating surface-to-air missiles, which were also used extensively for the first time in this conflict, but also as a way to enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities of US combat aircraft in air combat. Spy Planes, Intruders, and Wild Weasels provides a comprehensive overview of this previously neglected aspect of air combat history. Thomas Wildenberg draws on a wealth of declassified CIA and NSA documents, as well as fascinating accounts from veterans and technical experts, to describe the tactics, innovations and impact of electronic warfare in air combat in Vietnam. From the widespread use of jammers to the development of aircraft such as the EA-6B, the first aircraft designed specifically for electronic warfare, this authoritative work illustrates the importance of electronic warfare in the history of the Vietnam War and the development of modern electronic warfare. The author traces the impact of electronic warfare technologies through key phases of the war, including Rolling Thunder, Linebacker I and Linebacker II. As the war progressed, electronic warfare techniques also became increasingly sophisticated. It was the first conflict in which the suppression of enemy air defences and the aircraft used for this purpose, known as Wild Weasels, became an important part of mission planning and execution. The book analyses how the US forces adapted to North Vietnam's increasingly sophisticated air defences with advanced aircraft and equipment. Drawing on primary sources, the author provides a clear analysis of how electronic warfare changed military tactics, intelligence operations and the future of conflict.