EB66s

EB-66s are electronic warfare aircraft developed from the Martin B-66 Destroyer, the U.S. license-built version of the English Electric Canberra. They were designed to provide airborne electronic countermeasures and signals intelligence to suppress enemy air defenses and to support strike missions during the Cold War, with notable service in Southeast Asia.

Converted from existing B-66 airframes, EB-66s carried specialized electronic warfare equipment, including radar jammers and communications intelligence gear. The aircraft retained the basic bomber airframe but had its offensive payload removed or repurposed to accommodate mission equipment. They featured extensive antenna installations and electronic systems intended to disrupt or degrade hostile radar and radio networks while permitting continued flight and mission operations.

Operational history of the EB-66 centers on its use during the Vietnam War, where electronic warfare aircraft supported bombing campaigns by jamming enemy radar, gathering signals intelligence, and helping to suppress air defenses. The fleet also contributed to broader EW testing and development efforts during the late 1960s and into the 1970s, aiding in the refinement of later electronic warfare platforms.

Retirement and legacy: most EB-66s were retired from U.S. service by the late 1970s to early 1980s as newer electronic warfare platforms entered service. A number of airframes were preserved in museums, and the EB-66 lineage contributed to the evolution of airborne EW concepts in the United States.