EA-18G Growler

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft designed to replace the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler in the United States Navy. Derived from the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, development began with an initial flight demonstration on 15 November 2001. Boeing, as prime contractor, built the forward fuselage and wings and conducted final assembly, while Northrop Grumman supplied the center and aft fuselage alongside the principal electronic combat system. The first test aircraft made its maiden flight on 15 August 2006. Low-rate production started in 2007, and full-rate production was approved on 23 November 2009.

Design

The aircraft shares 90% commonality with the Super Hornet, including the airframe, Raytheon AN/APG-79 AESA radar, and AN/AYK-22 stores management system. To stabilize flight for electronic warfare missions, the design incorporates modified leading edge fairings, wing fold hinge fairings, wing fences, and aileron tripper strips. The specialized mission equipment includes wingtip-mounted AN/ALQ-218 wideband receivers and up to five ALQ-99 tactical jamming pods. It features the INCANS Interference Cancellation system for voice communication during jamming and the Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) datalink.

Armament

The EA-18G lacks the internal 20 mm cannon of the Super Hornet, utilizing that space for electronic systems. It has nine external hardpoints supporting up to 17,750 lb of fuel and weapons. Standard armament includes AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for self-defense and AGM-88 HARM or AGM-88E Advanced Antiradiation Guided Missiles (AARGM). It can also deploy AGM-154 JSOW weapons and the AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod.

Operational History

The US Navy accepted its first Growler in June 2008. The first operational deployment began in February 2011 with VAQ-132. The type saw its first combat during Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in 2011. During Operation Prosperity Guardian, a Growler destroyed a ground-based Houthi Mi-24 helicopter using an AGM-88E and achieved its first air-to-air kill against a drone. In late 2024, VAQ-133 conducted the first deployment utilizing the ALQ-249 Next-Generation Jammer.

Australia is the only export operator, purchasing 12 aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which entered service in 2017. Following a 2018 engine fire that destroyed one aircraft, a replacement from US Navy stocks was delivered in 2023. RAAF Growlers carry AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles and ATFLIR pods. In 2023, Australia initiated a project to upgrade the fleet with improved sensors, longer-range missiles, and new jamming pods.