Boeing Flies EA-18G Wingtip and Jamming Pods for First Time

duotiga83 SG

ST. LOUIS, June 12, 2006 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] EA-18G program test team reached a key milestone May 30 when it flew a modified F/A-18F equipped with wingtip antenna and high- and low-band jamming pods for the first time. The flight was part of ongoing flying qualities and carrier suitability testing to validate the EA-18G's shipboard effectiveness. The EA-18G Growler is a derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, that has been flying from carriers since 1997.

The three-month carrier suitability tests, flown by U.S. Navy pilots, include catapult launches and cable arrestments from test facilities at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Initial tests will measure aircraft loads to verify that the landing gear and airframe meet design specifications. The tests also will monitor the catapult and arrestment systems to assess if the Growler settings are accurate.

"These tests are a big milestone for the EA-18G program," said Mike Gibbons, Boeing EA-18G program manager. "We know the Super Hornet airframe works well in challenging at-sea conditions. Now we're verifying that the EA-18G, with potentially greater bringback for fuel and weapons capacity, will work just as well."

Over 25 flights, the carrier suitability tests will measure how well the Growler performs in a variety of takeoff and landing situations, including high sink, free flight engagement, on- and off-center catapults and arrestments. The EA-18G testing will allow for higher landing weights than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to provide greater flexibility in the return of high-value jamming pods plus other weapons and stores.

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.

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q2/060612b_nr.html

Shotgun SG

Ahh.. the EA-6B replacement is coming soon eh. I wonder will the USAF use the growlers too… They never liked using Navy Aircraft, but had to borrow navy EA-6 prowlers cos they stupidly retired all the EF-111s.

tankee1981 SG

Does the RSAF have dedicated EW planes? Any of the older aircraft being converted for this purpose? Thanks Very Happy

minimalis SG

Why did they retire the Ravens? I remember it was still being used in the first Gulf War.

duotiga83 SG

latest blk of viper have some limited EW capability

spencer99 SG

The RSAF have limited a/c. Might not be feasible to have dedicated EW a/c.

Also the air defence of the surrounding region is pretty weak.

tankee1981 SG

Since we still have many old A-4 aircraft, maybe we can outfit them to be dedicated EW aircraft like what the other countries are doing. Old aircraft are often converted to become dedicated EW aircraft.

Since the air defence in our region is not strong we don't need that many of such EW aircraft, just a handful will do. Can use this as an opportunity to gain experience in intergrating new equipment to old retired aircraft. Very Happy

kelong70 SG

My thinking is that the A4 Skyhawk cannot be used because their hardpoints isn't rated to carry the 'looks to be heavy' jamming pod and 'unknown EW system'.

But F-16 are definitely tough enough to carry them. It seems to me that the Growler carries 3 jamming pods and wingtip antenna in addition to the baseline F/A-18F, perhaps with more EW modules inserted within the aircraft structure.

I wonder if maybe USAF can modified the F-16 to become a dedicated jamming aircraft since the 3 jamming pods and wingtip antenna can be placed on the F-16 in similar configuration, sacrificing 2 fuel tank and gaining 2 outer most hardpoint on the F-16 for either 2 sidewinder or AMRAAM.

spartan6 SG

1 of our c-130 is reported 2 have being converted in2 a SIGINT patform n 1 of our F-50 reportedly has limited EINT capability

duotiga83 SG

F50 yes i heard of it but not C130.....

spartan6 SG

Im surprised many had heard of e C-130 but not many had heard of e F-50

tankee1981 SG

Actually both C-130 and the F50 have been converted into ELINT platforms in RSAF. But this is a bit off topic as ELINT is not the same as EW. ELINT is more like electronic intelligence gathering. Very Happy

spartan6 SG

EW cover SIGLINT, ELINT, defence suppression. E C-130 is a SIGLINT plaform not ELINT

kelong70 SG

So what if C-130 and Fokker50 did possess SIGINT, ELINT capability. From what I heard, their capability are weak. They are not mission specific aircraft like what US have with their EP-3 and EC-135.

kelong70 SG

SIGINT and ELINT are forms of intelligent-gathering. EW is the broader form which covers anything to do with electronics. In this case, the EW in F/A-18 is more towards SEAD.

SBS3625D SG

The Ravens have been retired? When? My goodness, that means RAAF F-111C are the last of their kind!

SBS3625D SG

I believe General Dynamics back then modified an F-16 to wild weasel standards, full with AGM-88, shrike and Standard ARM, dunno if operational or not.

duotiga83 SG

unofficail term as F-16Cj/Dj for SEAD/DEAD role, replacement for F-4G wild Weasel.....

kelong70 SG

It's true that F-16CJ / DJ is replacement for F-4G. But then, they dun carry the jamming pod like those carried by E/A-18G. Dunnoe if our F-16D Blk-52+ have the capability to jam enemy's radar.

duotiga83 SG

EA-18G is meant to replace EA-6B mah...... Laughing in electronic countermeasure roles....