US Navy takes delivery of 100th EA-18G Growler
The US Navy’s EA-18G Growler programme has reached an important milestone, with the navy taking delivery of its 100th EA-18G Growler from Boeing. A ceremony to mark the delivery was held in St Louis on 5 May.
A derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler provides tactical jamming and electronic protection for US and allied forces.
The aircraft uses both reactive and pre-emptive jamming techniques to counter enemy air defences, as well as providing stand-off and escort jamming. The aircraft’s ALQ-218 wideband receiver combined with the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System is designed to be effective against any radar-guided surface-to-air threat. It also provides non-traditional electronic attack, self-protect and time-critical strike support, and advanced communication countermeasures.
Capt Frank Morley, US Navy F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager, said: ‘Given the threat environment we are moving into, the Growler will play a major role in identifying, tracking, targeting and potentially firing upon the enemy. The EA-18G Growler is a high-demand asset that is equally critical in disrupting our enemies operations as it is enhancing our own.’
Mike Gibbons, F/A-18 and EA-18G Programs vice president, added: ‘Today we celebrated 100 Growler deliveries – all on cost and on schedule – and highlighted the need for additional Growlers in the future so our men and women in uniform can prosecute their missions in the safest, most effective way possible. We believe there is a compelling case to be made that the navy needs 50 to 100 more aircraft to meet future requirements.’
The US Navy has 22 Growlers on its unfunded priorities list for the 2015 fiscal year budget. Current orders take Growler and Super Hornet production through the end of 2016.
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