Boeing delivered the first fleet EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft to the U.S. Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 on Tuesday at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., ahead of schedule and within budget.
Boeing previously delivered five EA-18G aircraft to the Navy’s flight test community.
A derivative of the combat-proven, 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 integrates the capabilities of the most advanced AEA system with the advanced weapons, sensors and communications systems found on the Super Hornet.
The Navy selected the EA-18G to replace its current AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler, that has been in service since 1971. Boeing received the EA-18G System Development and Demonstration phase contract in December 2003 and delivered the first EA-18G Growler to the Navy in September 2006. The aircraft is scheduled to enter Operational Evaluation in September. The Navy program of record calls for 85 EA-18G aircraft.
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 includes Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Raytheon. The System Development and Demonstration 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.
The VAQ 129 Vikings serve as the Fleet Readiness Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, which is home port for all airborne electronic attack aircraft in the Navy’s arsenal. The Vikings began flying the EA-6B Prowler in 1971, and will receive the first five fleet EA-18Gs.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
It ain’t got enough legs. The Prowler was a better platform because of it’s range. Same goes for the Hornette with a drop and buddy store. Yeah, Right?!????
I retired from VAQ-140 in September of 1993. So I guess I’m old, huh?
The bulk of my career was in the A-6 and one tour in the A-7. The Hornette replaced both? Hmmmm
As you can tell, I am not a Hornette fan. At Lemoore in the mid eighties we called it the epoxy rocket. That is real attack guys, not FAGs.
Do you think (with the exception of supersonic dash speed) the EA-18 will show any advantages of the EA-6? I just thought of the smaller crew lol…
The EA-18G will do just fine. I myself was a tomcat mech from my 21 years in the navy and converted to the F/A18-F super hornet. Not only is it a better jet…mind you the tomcat and the prowler were and are over 30 years plus old…better electronics and ease of maintenance is better in the long run. No offense GM Cassel but the hornet is spelled HORNET not HONETTE…if you worked on a old aircraft and are given something new and high tech you would understand the big difference.