By Giacomo Amati
What's your knowledge about the only airborne electronic attack (AEA) military aircraft currently in production?
Summary
- EA-18G Growler is a variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet and provides tactical jamming and electronic protection, crucial for high-threat missions.
- Among other features, the Growler provides critical electronic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data to other joint force aircraft.
- The aircraft currently serves in the US Navy and the Australian Royal Air Force.
The EA-18G Growler is a Boeing-manufactured military aircraft currently in use with the US Air Force and the Australian Air Force. This aircraft is a variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet and is mainly known for providing tactical jamming and electronic protection to the military forces operating it.
Aircraft's overview
According to Boeing, the EA-18G Growler is the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform and the only one in production today.
The Growler is built as a combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet variant and provides tactical jamming and electronic protection. The US Navy and the whole industry are furthering their investment in this aircraft, as it offers vital protection for strike aircraft during high-threat missions.
Photo:Bill ChizekI Shutterstock
The table below summarizes the main features of this aircraft, according to the Royal Australian Air Force:
Technical Specification | Value |
|---|---|
Length | 60.2 ft (18.3 m) |
Height | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
Wing span | 44.9 ft (13.7 m) |
Weight empty | 33,094 lbs (15,011.2 kg) |
Internal fuel | 13,940 lbs (6,323.1 kg) |
Max external fuel | 9,744 lbs (4,419.8 kg) |
Engines | 2 F414-GE-400 |
Thrust | 44,000 lbs |
Range | 847 NM (1,570 km) |
Ceiling | 50,000 ft (15,240 m) |
Max speed | Mach 1.6 (1,940 km/h) |
Unit cost | $67 million |
Armament |
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Crew |
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This aircraft replaced the EA-6B Prowler in the US Navy. In 2014, Boeing was also awarded a contract to manufacture 12 Growlers that the Royal Australian Air Force would later acquire under a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US Navy. Following this acquisition, Australia has become the first country to be offered such a level of AEA technology by the US. With the addition of the 12 Growlers to their fleet, the RAAF benefits from unmatched electronic awareness and attack capabilities.
The aircraft main capabilities
It is not always easy to highlight the main features of a military aircraft, as these can cover a wide range of different aims. The list below tries to summarize the main traits that make the EA-18G Growler unique:
- Provides critical electronic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data to other joint force aircraft
- Combines a fighter aircraft speed and maneuverability with an electronic combat aircraft
- Ability to self-protect by employing its AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
- Offers enhanced reader image resolution, targeting, and tracking range by employing its APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system
- Offers uninterrupted radio communications also in a heavily jammed environment thanks to its Interference Cancellation System
- Ability to locate, record, playback, and digitally jam enemy communications over a broad frequency range thanks to its ALQ-227 Communications Countermeasures Set
- Provides advanced survivability and electronic protection for ground, air, and maritime combat forces
- High levels of reliability and low operating costs
Photo:Phuong D. NguyenI Shutterstock
The aircraft's background
The first Growler test aircraft was produced in October 2004, while the first flight was operated in 2006.
The delivery of the first aircraft dates back to June 3rd, 2008, when the first Growler was delivered to the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in the US state of Washington. Full-rate production of this aircraft followed in 2009, and by 2010, three squadrons, VAQ-132, 141, and 138, had already replaced the Prowler with the Growler and were declared safe for flight.
The aircraft's baptism of fire happened during Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in 2011. Of all the US Navy Expeditionary VAQ squadrons, four uniquely support the US Air Force and US Navy shore-based operations. All EA-18G squadrons are based at NAS Whidbey Island. There is just one exception: squadron VAQ-141, attached to CVW-5, Forward Deployed Naval Force, which is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.
How to spot the aircraft
According to Naval Technology, what are the design features of this aircraft that make it easily recognizable to the human eye?
One of the main external characteristics is that wideband receiver pods on the EA-18G Growler replace the wingtip air-to-air missiles typically seen on the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Other hardpoints, however, carry a mix of electronic warfare pods and weapons. The Growler is also easily recognizable thanks to a light alloy multi-spar wing and high-strength epoxy panels and doors. The main landing gear is single-wheeled and retracts rearward into the wheel bays mounted in the engine air ducts. The nose of the aircraft is fitted with a catapult launch tow bar, while an arrester hook is installed under the fuselage's rear section.
Photo:Grapsole79I Shutterstock
The Growler's co*ckpit seats two people, the pilot, and a weapon systems officer. The crew station features a touch-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) mission systems control and display, 8in x 10in (203mm x 23mm) full-color tactical LCD, and two multipurpose 5in x 5in (127mm x 127mm) LCDs. All displays provide tactical aircraft moving map capability (TAMMAC).
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The Growler has hands-on throttle and stick control and full digital fly-by-wire controls. A helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS) is also available. The HMCS provides "first-look, first-shot" high off-boresight weapons engagement capability. This means the pilot can direct or cue the weapons against the enemy while performing different maneuvers. All the pilots need to do is point their heads at the target, and weapons will automatically be directed to the target. All aircraft and performance parameters are displayed on the pilot's visor.
Photo:Peter R Foster IDMAI Shutterstock
Future developments
What shall we expect from the EG-18G in the future?
The Growler Block II is currently under development, and it is expected to include new features, including the Advanced co*ckpit System (ACS), along with other internal improvements, which the new Growler will share with another military aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Block III. Additionally, the latest version of the Growler will showcase enhancements to the Airborne Electronic Attack Suite. Such enhancements will enable the EA-18G to overcome current threats to the current product and maintain the lead throughout the aircraft's planned lifecycle.
Photo:Bill ChizekI Shutterstock
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