Rollout EA-18G Growler

duotiga83 SG

Pictures: Boeing rolls out EA-18G Growler F/A-18 electronic attack variant
The US Navy today rolled-out the first of two Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet test aircraft converted into EA-18G Growler airborne electronic-attack (AEA) variants (pictured below).

The aircraft is the sucessor to the ageing EA-6B Prowler as a Mach 1.8 fighter jet escort and radar jammer. The Growler is fitted with an array of electronic warfare aids including ALQ-99, ALQ-79 and ALQ-218 jamming pods.

The EA-18G test aircraft is due to perform first flights in September.

http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/08/03/Navigation/177/208267/Pictures+Boeing+rolls+out+EA-18G+Growler+FA-18+electronic+attack.html

duotiga83 SG

http://www.ghetzleraeropower.com/ea-18g-pod.htm

Low-Drag Ram Air Turbines
U.S. NAVY EA-18G "Growler"

Potential application of the LD-RATG AN/LQ-99 Radar Pod to follow-on EA-18G "Growler"

tankee1981 SG

I think RSAF needs to have dedicated Electronic attack aircraft as well. We can modify old A-4 to do the job or better still use UAVs. Very Happy

insouciant SG

I think our F16D Block 52+ is supposed to have a limited electronic attack capability with the additional electronics packed into the spine and various bumps on its body.

Actually, now that I think about it, the Israeli's don't have a dedicated electronic attack aircraft too do they?

tankee1981 SG

I think the EW suite on our F-16D is more towards suppression of enemy radars and SAMs while carrying out strike missions. So they are strictly not for electronic attack capability but more of defensive electronic suppression.

Yes, i think you are right, they don't have dedicated manned electronic attack aircraft but ido believe hat they employ UAVs for such missions though. Very Happy

duotiga83 SG

EA-18G Growler Flies for First Time

ST. LOUIS: The Boeing Company Tuesday flew the EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft for the first time, approximately one month ahead of schedule.

The first EA-18G, known as aircraft EA-1, successfully completed its maiden flight from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. Boeing F/A-18 chief test pilot Ricardo Traven and chief weapons system operator Rick Junkin conducted the first flight of the U.S. Navy's newest AEA aircraft. EA-1 is the first of two test aircraft built under a System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract Boeing signed with the Navy on Dec. 29, 2003.

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/EA-18G_Growler_Flies_for_First_Time.php

duotiga83 SG

another 1 from Boeing

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http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060816a_nr.html

Boeing Flies EA-18G Growler for First Time

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 16, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Tuesday flew the EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft for the first time, approximately one month ahead of schedule.

The first EA-18G, known as aircraft EA-1, successfully completed its maiden flight from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. Boeing F/A-18 chief test pilot Ricardo Traven and chief weapons system operator Rick Junkin conducted the first flight of the U.S. Navy's newest AEA aircraft. EA-1 is the first of two test aircraft built under a System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract Boeing signed with the Navy on Dec. 29, 2003.

The aircraft will fly to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., later this year. In addition to flight testing, it will undergo extensive ground testing in the Patuxent River anechoic chamber to assess on-board radar, receiver and jammer compatibility and performance.

"This is a day we've been working toward since 2003," said Bob Feldmann, vice president, Boeing F/A-18 programs. "To see this aircraft flying is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but knowing the effort that so many people put into bringing the EA-18G to this milestone makes it even sweeter."

A derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, the EA-18G's highly flexible design enables warfighters to perform an array of AEA missions, operating from either the deck of an aircraft carrier or land-based airfields. The EA-18G will replace the Navy's current aircraft carrier based AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler, that has been in service since 1971. The first production Growler will join the Navy's aircraft fleet in 2008.

"In 2003, the Navy made a very bold but necessary investment in a brand-new electronic attack airplane," said Capt. Donald "BD" Gaddis, F/A-18 program manager for the U.S. Navy. "Today, we're seeing the very first return on that investment. The thing that I like about it, the thing my resource sponsors should like about it, is that the cost, schedule and performance parameters we set for ourselves in 2003, we've met every single one of those metrics."

Boeing, acting as the weapon system integrator and prime contractor, leads the EA-18G Growler industry team. Northrop Grumman is the principal subcontractor and airborne electronic attack subsystem integrator. The Hornet Industry Team will divide EA-18G production across Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Raytheon manufacturing facilities. The SDD program concludes with an Initial Operational Capability in 2009. Naval Air Systems Command PMA-265 is the U.S. Navy acquisition office for the EA-18G.

lwflee SG

“Growler” HAHAHA

spartan6 SG

SAM officer 2 crew----"see tat glow on e radar fire at will" Mr. Green

insouciant SG

Aiyah, I said "limited" what.. Razz

Actually looking at the aircraft in the photo, it looks like a airfix model. Laughing IS it?

duotiga83 SG

Boeing Delivers First EA-18G Growler to U.S. Navy

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 22, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has delivered the first EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft to the U.S. Navy test site at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

The first EA-18G, known as aircraft EA-1, made the two-hour flight from St. Louis to Maryland with U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Matt Doyle and weapons system operator U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jamie Engdahl on board. EA-1 is the first of two test aircraft built under a System Development and Demonstration contract Boeing signed with the Navy on Dec. 29, 2003.

"Delivering this aircraft today continues a promise we made to our customer," said Kevin Fogarty, Boeing EA-18G chief engineer. "We're delivering new capability ahead of schedule, and we look forward to the next step in flight test, where we can prove the advanced concepts and technologies the Growler brings to the AEA community and the Navy."

In addition to flight testing, EA-1 will undergo extensive ground testing in the Patuxent River anechoic chamber to assess on-board radar, receiver and jammer compatibility and performance. The second EA-18G will join the flight test program at Patuxent River later this year.

A derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, the EA-18G's highly flexible design enables warfighters to perform an array of AEA missions, operating from either the deck of an aircraft carrier or land-based fields. The EA-18G will replace the Navy's current AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler, which has been in service since 1971. The first production Growler will join the Navy's aircraft fleet in 2008.

Boeing, acting as the weapon system integrator and prime contractor, leads the EA-18G Growler industry team. Northrop Grumman is the principal subcontractor and airborne electronic attack subsystem integrator. The Hornet Industry Team will divide EA-18G production across Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Raytheon manufacturing facilities. The System Design and Development program concludes with an Initial Operational Capability in 2009. Naval Air Systems Command PMA-265 is the U.S. Navy acquisition office for the EA-18G.

Frm Boeing