EA-18G Growler

infobox Aircraft
name = EA-18G Growler
type = Electronic warfare
manufacturer = Boeing

---

caption =
designer =
first flight = 15 August 2006
introduced =
retired =
number built =
status = Flight testing
primary user = United States Navy
more users =
unit cost =US$66 million
developed from = F/A-18F Super Hornet
variants with their own articles =

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. It began production in 2007 and is slated for fleet deployment in 2009. The EA-18G will replace the Navy's EA-6B Prowler.

Development

An electronic attack version of the F/A-18F, the EA-18G Growler will replace the Navy's EA-6B Prowler. An F/A-18F "F-1" was re-fitted with ALQ-99 electronic-warfare system, and successfully completed an initial flight demonstration of the EA-18 Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) concept aircraft flight on November 15, 2001. [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2001/q4/nr_011115n.htm "Boeing Successfully Completes Initial Flight Demonstration of EA-18 Airborne Electronic Attack Variant"] "Boeing Global Strike Systems", November 15, 2001]

The first EA-18G test aircraft went into production in October 22, 2004. [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2004/q4/nr_041021o.html "Boeing Begins Work on First EA-18G Test Aircraft"] "Boeing Global Strike Systems", October 21, 2004] The EA-18G had a public rollout on August 3, 2006. [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060804b_nr.html "Boeing rolls out first EA-18G Growler"] "Boeing Global Strike Systems", August 4, 2006] The first test aircraft, known as EA-1 made its initial flight in St. Louis on August 15, 2006, [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060816a_nr.html "Boeing Flies EA-18G Growler for First Time"] "Boeing Global Strike Systems", August 16, 2006] and ferried to the US Navy's Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on September 22, 2006. EA-1 primarily supports ground testing in the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF) anechoic chamber. The second aircraft, known as EA-2 first flew on November 10, 2006, [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q4/061113a_nr.html Second Boeing EA-18G Growler Takes to the Air] ] and was delivered to NAS Patuxent River (Pax River) on November 29, 2006. [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q4/061129a_nr.html Boeing Delivers Second EA-18G Growler to U.S. Navy] ] EA-2 is an AEA flight test aircraft, initially flying on Pax River's Atlantic Test Range (ATR) for developmental test of the AEA system before transitioning to the Electronic Combat Range (ECR, or 'Echo Range') in Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California. Both aircraft are assigned to VX-23 "Salty Dogs". There were five Growlers flying in the flight test program as of June 2008. [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q2/080604b_nr.html "Boeing Delivers 1st Fleet EA-18G Growler"] , Boeing, June 4, 2008.]

EA-1 and EA-2 are F/A-18Fs F-134 and F-135, pulled from the St. Louis production line and modified by Boeing to the EA-18G configuration. However, since they were not built initially as Growlers, the Navy has designated these two test aircraft as NEA-18Gs. [ [http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/412015-L(addendum).html DOD 4120.15-L - Addendum] , Designation-Systems.net, 8 July 2008.] They will not enter the fleet population - but will remain within the VX test squadron community.Fact|date=July 2008

In an April 2006 report, the United States Government Accountability Office expressed concerns that because the EA-18G was apparently "not fully following the knowledge-based approach inherent in best practices and DOD's acquisition guidance", the program had an increasing risk of "future cost growth and schedule delays". [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06446.pdf "Option of Upgrading Additional EA-6Bs Could Reduce Risk in Development of EA-18G"] "Government Accountability Office"] The report recommends that the DOD consider purchasing additional ICAP III upgrades for EA-6Bs to fill any current and near-term capability gaps and restructure the initial EA-18G production plans so that procurement takes place after the aircraft has "demonstrated full functionality".

The U.S Navy has ordered a total of 57 airplanes to replace its existing EA-6B Prowlers in service, all of which will be based at NAS Whidbey Island save for Reserve Squadron VAQ-209 based at NAF Washington, MD. The US DoD gave approval for the EA-18G program to begin low-rate initial production in 2007. [Fabey, Michael. [http://www.aviationnow.com/publication/aerospacedaily/loggedin/AvnowStoryDisplay.do?fromChannel=defense&pubKey=aerospacedaily&issueDate=2007-07-19&story=xml/aerospacedaily_xml/2007/07/19/04.xml&headline=Growler+passes+Milestone+C%2c+goes+to+low%2drate+initial+production+ "Growler passes Milestone C, goes to low-rate initial production"] . "Aerospace Daily & Defense Report"07/19/2007. (log-in required)] Full production is to begin in 2008.

The EA-18G is scheduled to finish flight testing in 2008, then earn initial operational capability in 2009. [ [http://boeing.com/news/releases/2007/q3/070925c_nr.html "Boeing Delivers First Production EA-18G Growler to U.S. Navy"] , Boeing, September 25, 2007.] The Navy is planning to buy approximately 85 aircraft in order to equip 11 squadrons. The first Growler for fleet use was officially accepted by VAQ-129 "Vikings" at NAS Whidbey Island, on June 3, 2008. [ [http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37611 "Navy Welcomes New Era of Electronic Warfare"] , US Navy, 4 June 2008.]

In 2008 the Australian Government requested export approval from the US government to purchase EA-18Gs to complement Australia's order of 24 F/A-18Fs. If this approval is granted Australia may buy up to six EA-18Gs. [cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24183656-31477,00.html|title=RAAF likes the sound of the Growler|last=Dodd|first=Mark|date=2008-08-15|publisher=The Australian|accessdate=2008-08-15]

Design

The flight performance of the Growler is similar to that of the F/A-18. This attribute enables the Growler to perform escort jamming as well as the traditional standoff jamming mission. Growlers will be able to accompany F/A-18s during all phases of an attack mission. [http://boeing.com/defense-space/military/ea18g/index.html EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft] , Boeing.]

The Growler has more than 90% in common with the standard Super Hornet, sharing airframe, AESA radar and weapon systems such as the AN/AYK-22 Stores Management System. Most of the dedicated airborne electronic attack equipment is mounted in the space that used to house the internal 20 mm cannon and on the wingtips. Nine weapons stations remain free to provide for additional weapons or jamming pods. [http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/ea18g/docs/EA-18G_overview.pdf EA-18G Growler overview] , Boeing.] The added electronics include AN/ALQ-218 wideband receivers on the wingtips, and ALQ-99 high and low-band tactical jamming pods. The ALQ-218 combined with the ALQ-99 form a full spectrum electronic warfare suite that is able to provide detection and jamming against all known surface-to-air threats.

The EA-18G can be fitted with up to five ALQ-99 jamming pods and will typically add two AIM-120 self-defense missiles and two AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation (HARM) missiles. [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2003/q4/nr_031229m.html "Navy Awards Boeing $9.6 Billion in Super Hornet and EA-18G Contracts"] "Boeing Global Strike Systems", December 29, 2003.] The EA-18G will also use the INCANS Interference Cancellation system that will allow voice communication while jamming enemy communications, a capability not available on the EA-6B. [ [http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q4/nr_051108m.html "Boeing EA-18G Program Completes INCANS Verification Testing, Demonstration"] , "Boeing Global Strike Systems", November 8, 2005.]

In addition to the radar warning and jamming equipment the Growler possesses a communications receiver and jamming system that will provide suppression and electronic attack against airborne communication threats.

Boeing is looking into other potential upgrades; the ALQ-99 radar jamming pod may be replaced in the future, and the company is looking into adding weapons and replacing the satellite communications receiver.

Operators

;USA
* United States Navy
**VAQ-129

pecifications (EA-18G Growler)

aircraft specification

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=jet
ref =F/A-18E/F U.S. Navy fact file, [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1200&ct=1 F/A-18 US Navy fact file] ]
crew=Two
length main=60 ft 1.25 in
length alt=18.31 m
span main=44 ft 8.5 in
span alt=13.62 m) (including wingtip-mounted pods
height main=16 ft
height alt=4.88 m
area main=500.00 ft²
area alt=46.45 m²
empty weight main=30,564 lb
empty weight alt=13,864 kg
loaded weight main=47,000 lb
loaded weight alt=21,320 kg) (in fighter configuration
max takeoff weight main=66,000 lb
max takeoff weight alt=29,900 kg
more general=Internal fuel capacity: 14,000 lb (6,350 kg)
*External fuel capacity: (5 x 480 gal tanks): 16,380 lb (7,430 kg)
engine (jet)=General Electric F414-GE-400
type of jet=turbofans
number of jets=2
thrust main=14,000 lbf
thrust alt=62 kN
afterburning thrust main=22,000 lbf
afterburning thrust alt=98 kN
max speed main=Mach 1.8
max speed alt=1,190 mph, 1,900 km/h
max speed more=at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
ceiling main=>50,000 ft
ceiling alt=15,000 m
range main=1,275 nmi
range alt=2,346 km
range more=clean plus two AIM-9s
combat radius main=390 nmi
combat radius alt=449 mi, 722 km
combat radius more=for interdiction mission [ [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-18.htm F/A-18E/F Super Hornet page on FAS.org] ]
ferry range main=1,800 nmi
ferry range alt=2,070 mi, 3,330 km
ferry range more=(range without ordnance)
climb rate main=
climb rate alt=
loading main=92.8 lb/ft²
loading alt=453 kg/m²
thrust/weight=0.93
more performance=
avionics=
* Raytheon APG-79 AESA
armament=
*External payload: 9 external weapons stations. The two wingtip LAU-127 launchers for AIM-9 Sidewinder, found on the E/F Super Hornet, have been replaced with AN/ALQ-218 detection pods, 6 removable under wing mounted hard points (inboard pylons will carry 480 gal fuel tanks, mid-board pylons will carry AN/ALQ-99 High Band Jamming Pods, and outboard pylon reserved for AGM-88 HARM missiles), 2 multi-mode conformal fuselage stations (AIM-120 AMRAAM), 1 centerline fuselage removable hardpoint, for AN/ALQ-99 Low Band Jamming Pod.
*Weapons employment: Currently, Phase I of the Growler will carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM for self-protection at the two conformal fuselage stations and AGM-88 HARM missiles. The 20 mm M61A1 cannon has been removed and replaced by a pod of electronic boxes that control the AN/ALQ-218 and assist with the coordination AN/ALQ-99 jamming attacks.
*According to the possible weapon configurations which were revealed, EA-18G would also be capable of performing "time-sensitive" strike missions, carrying AGM-154 JSOW under wings, or multi-sensor reconnaissance missions with SHARP and AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR on centerline and left conformal weapon stations, respectively.

ee also

aircontent
related=
* F/A-18 Hornet
* F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
similar aircraft=
* EA-6B Prowler
* EF-111 Raven
lists=
* List of active United States military aircraft
* List of fighter aircraft
see also=

References

External links

* [http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/ea18g/index.html EA-18G Growler on Boeing.com]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-18g.htm EA-18G profile on GlobalSecurity.org]
* [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2007/02/ea18g-program-the-usas-electronic-growler/index.php EA-18G Program: The USA's Electronic Growler on DefenseIndustryDaily.com]
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/07/08/225072/ea-18g-growler-new-platform-and-capabilities-set-to-un-level-the-sead-playing.html "EA-18G “Growler”: New platform and capabilities set to un-level the SEAD playing field"] , Flight International, 8 July 2008.