DOWNED PLANE

Two American fliers were killed in the crash of an Air Force EF-111A Raven electronic jamming and radar-detection jet, the first EF-111A lost in the Gulf War. The ejection pod and the wreckage were found in northern Saudi Arabia. A look at the plane:

The EF-111A is a modified F-111 fighter-bomber.

The craft can detect, sort and identify radars observing aircraft and jam them, allowing tactical aircraft to avoid interception. In its close-in jamming role, it can neutralize enemy radars so they cannot lock onto other attack aircraft.

The EF-111A’s modifications include a narrow dome on the underside of the fuselage that houses the antennas for jamming transmitters.

The EF-111A also has a pod mounted atop the rear fin that contains receiving antennas and equipment to detect hostile radar emissions.

EF-111As frequently fly with AWACS and other tactical aircraft, including bombers.

The United States had mounted an intense search for the crew and the craft, whose sensitive equipment would have been a major find for the Iraqis. COST: $73.9 million HOW IT WORKS: Electronic jamming equipment sends out false signals, producing bright spots on radar displays, rendering them useless. BACKGROUND: EF-111A Ravens from the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron were the first aircraft to enter Iraqi airspace when Operation Desert Storm began on Jan. 17. Ravens were also in the vanguard of the 1989 invasion of Panama. CREW: Two, pilot and electronic warfare officer MAXIMUM SPEED: 1,377 m.p.h. RANGE: 2,484 miles ORDNANCE: Unarmed SOURCE: AP, L.A. Times, Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft, Aviation Week & Space Technology