Aviation Naval Warfare Land Systems Small Arms Space By Flag By Year By Tag

Boeing EA-18G Growler

2009 MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of the Boeing EA-18G Growler

The Boeing EA-18G Growler was designed and developed to fill the electronic warfare aircraft (EWA) role of the U.S. Navy's venerable Grumman EA-6B Prowler. The Prowler has survived decades and notable conflicts while itself an evolution of the original Grumman A-6 "Invader" carrier-based attack aircraft. The U.S.

Navy has long used its proven airframes to perform critical EWA roles, providing cost-effective solutions to very important battlefield needs. The Growler - based on the production model F/A-18F Super Hornet Block II - intends to carry the Prowler's EWA cape for most of the new millennium, utilizing the latest jamming software and airborne gear to overwhelm enemy air defenses blindness. While Boeing is the primary manufacturer of Growler products, it's also being done with the backing of Northrop and General Electric, which is responsible for the engines.

Growler leads U.S. Navy squadrons VAQ-129, VAQ-130, VAQ-132, VAQ-135, VAQ-137, VAQ-138 and VAQ-141.

Suppressing air defenses has always been a concern of every war planner. Since the advent of military aviation at the beginning of World War I, ground artillery has been effective in attacking oncoming enemy formations. World War II led to the use of radar, and with the implementation of better ammunition designs and basic computers, ground-based artillery continued to improve. By the Cold War, missile technology was at the forefront of air defense networks, requiring appropriate counterattacks to suppress or completely destroy those networks before specialized warplanes could penetrate enemy airspace to attack targets.

This led to the creation of the EWA platform, the sole purpose of which is to suppress and destroy air defense targets through the use of specialized equipment and weapons, while providing communication jamming facilities to "blind" the enemy in action. In the Gulf War, the first truly "digital" war, such aircraft were used to devastating effect in front of key air strike formations. Grumman's EA-6B Prowler has served this role in the U.S. Navy for decades, and now the updated Growler is serving as its successor.

Her innate "Super Hornet" multi-role traits will also allow her to escort dedicated, strike-oriented allies into enemy territory while still providing ample electronic protection.

The Growler is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofan engines, each delivering up to 14,000 pounds of thrust and up to 22,000 pounds of afterburner (reheat) thrust. This gives the airframe a top speed of nearly 1,200 mph (Mach 1.8) at altitude and within a range of 1,470 miles.

She has a combat radius of 450 miles and a ferry range of 2,000 miles. Growler's service ceiling exceeds 50,000 feet, so each crew member is equipped with an oxygen system and ejection seat.

Unlike other fighters, the Growler does not have standard internal artillery armament for close quarters combat. However, she will be content with ammunition and special equipment spread across a total of 9 hardpoints - 1 centerline, 2 fuselage and 6 underwings - to counter the signal waves.

The wingtips are reserved for the AN/ALQ-218 wideband precision receiver pod, while the AN/ALQ-99 HF Tactical Jamming System jamming pod is installed by default under the wing (to counter threats from radar-guided missiles). AN/ALQ-99 low-band jamming pods are also in the mix, and ALQ-227 communications countermeasures are used to suppress enemy communications. A pair of 480 US gallon fuel tanks are used to increase operating range. To its advantage, the Growler will use the Interference Cancellation System (INCANS) to provide the crew with an uninterrupted line of communication during friendly matches.

The main weapon will be the AGM-88 HARM (High Speed ??Anti-Radiation Missile) to counter radar threats. For self-defense, the Growler will be armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles. The AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) precision-guided air-to-surface missile system has reportedly been mentioned for use in the Growler system to engage ground targets.

All told, she is certified to carry approximately 17,750 pounds of external ordnance, and her integration of mission-critical systems will ensure she is more capable than any Suppressive Adversary Air Defense (SEAD) aircraft before her.