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Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler
Boeing EA-18G Growler
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The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is primarily provided by Northrop Grumman. The EA-18G began production in 2007 and entered operational service with the US Navy in late 2009. Australia has also purchased thirteen EA-18Gs, which entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2017.

Key Information

Development

[edit]
See also: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet § Development

Requirement and testing

[edit]
The first EA-18G at the roll-out ceremony on 3 August 2006

On 15 November 2001, Boeing successfully completed an initial flight demonstration of F/A-18F "F-1" fitted with the ALQ-99 electronic warfare system to serve as the EA-18 Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) concept aircraft.[3] In December 2003, the US Navy awarded a development contract for the EA-18G to Boeing. As primary contractor, Boeing was to construct the forward fuselage and wings, and perform the final assembly. Northrop Grumman was the principal airframe subcontractor and they would supply the center and aft fuselage as well as the principal electronic combat system.[2][4] In 2003, the Navy expected to receive 90 EA-18Gs.[5]

The first EA-18G test aircraft entered production on 22 October 2004.[6] The first test aircraft, known as EA-1, was rolled out on 3 August 2006, before making its maiden flight at St. Louis on 15 August 2006; it was later ferried to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on 22 September 2006.[7][8] EA-1 primarily supports ground testing in the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF) anechoic chamber.

The second aircraft (EA-2) first flew on 10 November 2006,[9] and was delivered to NAS Patuxent River on 29 November 2006.[10] EA-2 is an AEA flight test aircraft, initially flying on Pax River's Atlantic Test Range (ATR) for developmental test of the AEA system before transitioning to the Electronic Combat Range (ECR, or 'Echo Range') in Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California. Both aircraft are assigned to VX-23 "Salty Dogs". EA-1 and EA-2 are F/A-18Fs F-134 and F-135, pulled from the St. Louis production line and modified by Boeing to the EA-18G configuration. However, since they were not built initially as Growlers, the Navy has designated these two test aircraft as NEA-18Gs.[11] There were five Growlers flying in the flight test program as of June 2008.[12]

Procurement

[edit]

In an April 2006 report, the US Government Accountability Office expressed concerns. The GAO felt the electronic warfare systems on the EA-18G were not fully mature so there is a risk of "future cost growth and schedule delays". The report recommended that the DoD consider purchasing additional ICAP III upgrades for EA-6Bs to fill any current and near-term capability gaps and restructure the initial EA-18G production plans so that procurement takes place after the aircraft has "demonstrated full functionality".[13] In a 2008 GAO report, the director of the DoD's Operational Test and Evaluation department questioned the workload on the two-person Growler crew to replace the Prowler's crew of four.[14]

An EA-18G Growler alongside an EA-6B Prowler shortly after arriving at NAS Whidbey Island, 2007.

The U.S. Navy has ordered a total of 57 aircraft to replace its in-service EA-6B Prowlers, most of which are based at NAS Whidbey Island. The US DoD gave approval for the EA-18G program to begin low rate initial production in 2007.[15] The EA-18G was scheduled to finish flight testing in 2008.[16] The Navy planned to buy approximately 85 aircraft in 2008.[17] Approval for full-rate production was expected in the third quarter of 2009,[18] and was given on 23 November 2009. Boeing planned to ramp up production to 20 aircraft per year.[19] On 9 July 2009, General James Cartwright told the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services that the choice had been to continue the F/A-18 production line because the warfighting commanders needed more aerial electronic warfare capability that only the EA-18G could provide.[20]

The Navy's submission for the 2011 defense budget put forth by the Obama administration calls for four EA-18G Growler squadrons to be added to the fleet.[21] On 14 May 2010, Boeing and the US Department of Defense reached an agreement for a multi-year contract for an additional 66 F/A-18E/Fs and 58 EA-18Gs over the next four years. This will raise the total to 114 EA-18Gs on order.[22]

The Pentagon's Director of Operational Test and Evaluation determined that the EA-18G was "still not operationally suitable" in February 2011. Prime contractor Boeing is working to address issues with software updates.[23] In December 2011, Operational Test and Evaluation concluded that the EA-18G software was "operationally effective and suitable".[24]

On 19 December 2014, the Navy publicly reported that it wants to modify the production contract with Boeing to slow production of the Growler from three airplanes per month to two. It will also purchase an additional 15 Growlers, funded by a spending bill that will go to President Obama for signature in late December 2014. Boeing would then be able to continue running the St. Louis production line through 2017. Boeing has said it cannot sustain the production line at fewer than two airplanes per month.[25][needs update]

Design

[edit]
See also: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet § Design
An EA-18G Growler of test and evaluation squadron VX-9, carrying external fuel tanks, jamming pods, and AGM-88 HARM and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

The Growler's flight performance is similar to that of the F/A-18E/F. This attribute enables the Growler to perform escort jamming as well as the traditional standoff jamming mission (radar jamming and deception). Growlers are able to accompany F/A-18s during all phases of an attack mission.[26] In order to give the Growler more stable flight for the electronic warfare mission, Boeing changed the leading edge fairings and wing fold hinge fairings, and added wing fences and aileron "tripper strips".[27]

The Growler has more than 90% in common with the standard Super Hornet, sharing airframe, Raytheon AN/APG-79 AESA radar and weapon systems such as the AN/AYK-22 stores management system. Most of the dedicated airborne electronic attack equipment is mounted on a plate in the space that used to house the internal 20 mm cannon and on the wingtips. Nine weapons stations remain free to provide for additional weapons or jamming pods.[28] The added electronics include AN/ALQ-218 wideband receivers on the wingtips and ALQ-99 high and low-band tactical jamming pods. The ALQ-218 combined with the ALQ-99 form a full spectrum electronic warfare suite that is able to provide detection and jamming against all known surface-to-air threats.[26] However, the current pods may be inadequate against emerging threats.[29]

The EA-18G can be fitted with up to five ALQ-99 jamming pods and will typically add two AIM-120 AMRAAM or AGM-88 HARM missiles.[4] The EA-18G will also use the INCANS Interference Cancellation system that will allow voice communication while jamming enemy communications, a capability not available on the EA-6B.[30] In addition to the radar warning and jamming equipment, the Growler possesses a communications receiver and jamming system that will provide suppression and electronic attack against airborne communication threats.[28]

The poor reliability of the ALQ-99 jammer pod and frequent failures of the Built-In Test (BIT) have caused the crew to fly missions with undetected faults. The ALQ-99 has also interfered with the aircraft's AESA radar and has imposed a high workload on the two-man crew, along with reducing the Growler's top speed.[31]

Boeing is looking into other potential upgrades; the ALQ-99 radar jamming pod may be replaced in the future, and the company is looking into adding weapons and replacing the satellite communications receiver. The Growler is the initial platform for the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) which uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology to focus jamming power exactly where needed. The NGJ was to be implemented on the F-35.[5] However, in May 2012, the U.S. Navy decided to focus NGJ integration on the EA-18G for an expected in-service date of 2020, and defer work for the F-35.[32] Boeing is also looking at exporting a Growler Lite configuration without the jamming pods for electronic awareness rather than electronic attack.[33]

Three Growlers networked together can generate targeting tracks for hostile radio-frequency sources in real time, but this is difficult to arrange with the current minimum strength US Navy squadrons.[34] Utilizing faster data-links, the Growler could use its EW pods to accurately locate signal sources. In a group of three planes, when one detects a signal from a source such as a cell phone, the other two can also listen for the same signal, all three measuring the amount of time taken for transmissions to travel from the source to each aircraft to trilaterate the location to "a very, very small area."[35] By early 2015, the Navy had demonstrated this concept using EA-18s equipped with Rockwell Collins' tactical targeting network technology (TTNT) and ALQ-218 receivers to acquire emissions from a target vessel and target it from a stand-off range without using their own detectable radar emissions.[36] Boeing announced on 1 December 2015 that they would upgrade Navy EA-18Gs with the TTNT datalink.[37]

Following U.S. Navy missions in Operation Odyssey Dawn during the 2011 Libyan Revolution, the Royal Australian Air Force decided to add the Raytheon ATFLIR (forward looking infrared) pod to their order of 12 Growler aircraft. When the Navy's EA-18Gs' radar and radar detectors located possible targets, they passed the information through datalinks to strike fighters. However, the Growlers themselves lacked the ability to visually confirm what it detected, so adding a FLIR pod gives it visual acuity to see targets and shorten the kill chain; it is not known if the U.S. Navy will also add a FLIR pod. Australian EA-18Gs will also be equipped with the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile.[38]

Operational history

[edit]

United States

[edit]
An EA-18G of VAQ-129 "Vikings" aligns itself for an at-sea landing aboard USS Ronald Reagan

The first Growler for fleet use was officially accepted by VAQ-129 "Vikings" at NAS Whidbey Island, on 3 June 2008.[17] The Navy planned to buy approximately 85 aircraft to equip 11 squadrons as of 2008.[17] The EA-18G completed operational evaluation in late July 2009. The Growler was rated operationally effective and suitable for operational use.[18][39] On 5 August 2009, EA-18G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) and Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) completed their first at-sea carrier-arrested landing aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).[40]

The first deployable EA-18G squadron was VAQ-132 "Scorpions", which reached operational status in October 2009.[41] The first Growler operational deployment was announced on 17 February 2011.[42] In service, the EA-18's radio name during flight operations will be "Grizzly". The "Growler" nickname sounded too much like the EA-6B's "Prowler" name, so "Grizzly" will be used to avoid confusion.[43] By May 2011, 48 Growlers had been delivered to the U.S. Navy.[28]

With the termination of the EB-52H standoff jammer, the Growler became the sole remaining crewed tactical jammer. Air Staff requirements director Maj. Gen. David Scott has indicated that the USAF will seek to provide electronic warfare officers to fly on U.S. Navy Growlers, without providing funding to purchase additional aircraft.[44] USAF personnel of 390th Electronic Combat Squadron stationed at NAS Whidbey Island have been supporting and flying the Growler.[45]

The EA-18G was first used in combat during Operation Odyssey Dawn, enforcing the UN no-fly zone over Libya in 2011.[46][47] Five EA-18Gs were redeployed from Iraq to support operations in Libya in 2011.[48]

The Growler was deployed as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, where one destroyed a Houthi Mil Mi-24 "Hind" on the ground with an AGM-88E Advanced Antiradiation Guided Missile (AARGM).[49] The EA-18G also scored its first air-to-air kill, downing a Houthi drone.[50]

In late 2024, E/A-18Gs of VAQ-133 attached to the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) successfully used the ALQ-249 Next-Generation Jammer and made the squadron the very first in the Navy to deploy with the new jamming pod.[51]

Australia

[edit]

In 2008, the Australian Government requested export approval from the US government to purchase up to six EA-18Gs,[52] which would be part of the order for 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets.[53]

An Australian EA-18G in 2023

On 27 February 2009, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon announced that 12 of the 24 Super Hornets on order would be wired on the production line for future fit-out as EA-18Gs. The additional wiring would cost A$35 million.[54][55] On 23 August 2012, the Australian Government announced that 12 RAAF Super Hornets would be fitted with Growler capability at a cost of $1.5 billion,[56] making the Royal Australian Air Force the only military other than the U.S. to operate the Growler's electronic jamming equipment.[57]

On 3 May 2013, the Australian Government announced that it will buy 12 new-build Growlers to supplement the existing Super Hornet fleet.[58] Australia took delivery of the first of 12 Growlers on 29 July 2015.[59] Uniquely, Australian Growlers will be equipped with the AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod and will also have additional air-to-air weapons in the form of the AIM-9X missile.[60] The aircraft will be operated by No. 6 Squadron RAAF.[61] On 7 July 2017, the RAAF completed delivery of the 12 EA-18G Growlers with the arrival of the last Growler at RAAF Base Amberley, home of No. 6 Squadron RAAF.[62]

One of the Australian EA-18Gs was written off following an engine fire in January 2018, leaving the force with 11 of the type.[63] On 29 January, an Australian EA-18G caught fire after an aborted takeoff at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada while participating in Exercise Red Flag 2018. The crew were able to exit the jet on the ground unharmed.[64] An investigation found that one engine's high-pressure compressor had broken into three major pieces that severely damaged the lower airframe, right tailfin, and the other engine.[65] The aircraft was written off on 15 August[66] and the Australian Government is attempting to claim compensation for the loss of the A$125 million aircraft.[63]

On 9 December 2020, the Royal Australian Air Force announced that the 11 EA-18G Growlers and 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets had been grounded after an incident occurred where the crew of an RAAF F/A-18F had to eject on take-off.[67]

On 30 September 2021, the US State Department approved the sale of an EA-18G to Australia to replace that lost in the 2018 accident.[68] This aircraft was ordered in early 2022, with the price being up to US$125 million. It was acquired from the US Navy's stock of Growlers and modified to the same configuration as the other Australian aircraft before being delivered to the RAAF.[69] The aircraft was delivered to the RAAF in February 2023.[70]

In February 2023, a A$2 billion project to upgrade the RAAF's Growlers and support infrastructure was approved and awarded to Boeing. As part of the project, new radar infrastructure will be installed at RAAF Base Amberley and the Delamere Air Weapons Range. The Growlers will also be fitted with improved sensors, longer-range missiles and new jamming pods.[71]

Potential operators

[edit]

Japan

[edit]

On 1 January 2018, it was reported that the Japanese Government is considering purchasing an electronic warfare attack aircraft and the EA-18G is a candidate for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.[72]

Failed bids

[edit]

Finland

[edit]

Boeing and the US Navy indicated their intention to propose the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G as a package for the new fighter introduction program, HX, which would replace the F/A-18C/D fighters operated by the Finnish Air Force, and on 18 February 2019 the US Department of Defense approved the export of the EA-18G to Finland.[73] However, the Finnish Air Force selected the F-35 Lightning II in February 2022.[74]

Operators

[edit]
 Australia
An EA-18G prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
An EA-18G pilot checks his right wing stores
 United States

Specifications (EA-18G Growler)

[edit]

Data from Boeing brochure[79] and U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F fact file.[80]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 60 ft 1.25 in (18.31 m)
  • Wingspan: 44 ft 8.5 in (13.62 m) (including wingtip-mounted pods)
  • Height: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
  • Wing area: 500 sq ft (46.5 m2)
  • Empty weight: 33,094 lb (15,011 kg)
  • Gross weight: 48,000 lb (21,772 kg) ; recovery weight
  • Max takeoff weight: 66,000 lb (29,964 kg)
  • Internal fuel capacity: 13,940 lb (6,323 kg)
  • External fuel capacity: (3 x 480 gal (1,800 L) tanks), 9,774 lb (4,420 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans, 14,000 lbf (62 kN) thrust each dry, 22,000 lbf (98 kN) with afterburner

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 1,030 kn (1,190 mph, 1,900 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 1.8[80]
  • Range: 1,275 nmi (1,458 mi, 2,346 km) ; clean plus two AIM-9s[80]
  • Combat range: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km) ; for interdiction mission[81]
  • Ferry range: 1,800 nmi (2,070 mi, 3,330 km) ; range without ordnance
  • Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m) at least
  • Wing loading: 92.8 lb/sq ft (453 kg/m2)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.93

Armament

  • Guns: None
  • Hardpoints: 9 total: 6 under-wing and 3 under-fuselage with a capacity of 17,750 lb (8,050 kg) external fuel and ordnance
  • Notes: The two wingtip missile launcher rails for AIM-9 Sidewinder, found on the E/F Super Hornet, have been replaced with AN/ALQ-218 detection pods, six removable under wing mounted hard points (inboard pylons will carry 480 gal (1,800 L) fuel tanks, mid-board pylons will carry AN/ALQ-99 High Band Jamming Pods, and outboard pylon reserved for AGM-88 HARM missiles), two multi-mode conformal fuselage stations (AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles), 1 centerline fuselage removable hardpoint, for AN/ALQ-99 Low Band Jamming Pod.
    • Weapons employment: Currently, Phase I of the Growler will carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for self-protection at the two conformal fuselage stations and AGM-88 HARM missiles. The A/A-49A-2 gun system with the 20 mm M61A2 cannon has been removed and replaced by a pod of electronic boxes that control the AN/ALQ-218 and assist with coordinating AN/ALQ-99 jamming attacks.
    • According to the possible weapon configurations which were revealed,[citation needed] EA-18G would also be capable of performing "time-sensitive" strike missions, carrying AGM-154 JSOW under wings, or multi-sensor reconnaissance missions with SHARP and AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR on centerline and left conformal weapon stations, respectively.

Avionics

See also

[edit]

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Boeing EA-18G Growler

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is the United States Navy's carrier-based airborne electronic attack aircraft, a specialized two-seat variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems for jamming enemy radars, disrupting communications, and suppressing air defenses. Developed by Boeing to replace the aging EA-6B Prowler, the Growler represents the first purpose-built electronic warfare aircraft produced for the Navy in over three decades, integrating the Super Hornet's proven airframe with the AN/ALQ-218 receiver system, AN/ALQ-99 jamming pods, and next-generation electronic attack capabilities. The program originated from a 2003 development contract awarded to Boeing, with the first production test aircraft entering assembly in October 2004 and achieving its maiden flight in August 2006; initial operational capability followed in September 2009, and the first combat deployment occurred in 2010 with Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132) supporting operations in Iraq. Capable of operations from aircraft carriers or land bases, the Growler has since become the Navy's sole dedicated electronic attack platform, with ongoing upgrades enhancing its targeting, situational awareness, and jamming pods to counter evolving threats. Australia operates a fleet of 11 Growlers under a foreign military sales agreement, marking the aircraft's only export to date.

Development

Requirements and Testing

The U.S. Navy identified a post-Cold War need for a modern carrier-based electronic warfare (EW) aircraft to replace the Vietnam-era EA-6B Prowler, which struggled with aging against evolving threats like advanced integrated air defenses. The requirements emphasized a two-crew setup—a pilot and —for real-time threat response, supersonic dash capability for survivability, and seamless integration with carrier strike groups. To prioritize cost efficiency, logistics commonality, and accelerated fielding, the platform was derived from the F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe, sharing over 90% of components to minimize unique sustainment demands while retaining the Super Hornet's range, payload, and weapons compatibility. Following Navy studies in the mid-1990s, was tasked with adapting the Super Hornet into the EA-18G configuration, with the first test aircraft entering production in October 2004 and achieving its initial flight on August 15, 2006. Engineering and manufacturing development testing at validated core EW systems, including the wideband receiver for detecting, geolocating, and identifying and communication emitters across threat bands. Integration trials confirmed the ALQ-218's compatibility with the airframe's , enabling precise threat prioritization and automated responses. Jamming effectiveness was rigorously assessed through developmental flights simulating suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and protection of strike packages, using tactical jamming pods to disrupt radar-guided surface-to-air missiles and command networks. These tests demonstrated the Growler's ability to maintain EW coverage while escorting fighters, outperforming the Prowler's legacy limitations in power output and frequency agility. Initial operational capability was declared in September 2009 with Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (), following successful system integration. The Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), conducted in 2009, evaluated the aircraft against representative threats in joint exercises, rating it operationally effective for standoff and escort jamming roles and suitable for fleet sustainment. Follow-on operational testing from November 2010 to June 2011, involving 69 sorties and 115 flight hours, further confirmed effectiveness in countering and communications while noting suitability gains in availability and reliability, though required refinements. By December 2011, the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation reported the EA-18G as fully operationally effective and suitable, endorsing transition to full-rate production based on empirical data from simulated scenarios.

Procurement and Production

The U.S. Navy initiated of the EA-18G Growler under a multi-year contract awarded to on December 29, 2003, as part of the broader F/A-18E/F Super Hornet program, enabling integrated production of both variants. Initial low-rate initial production focused on 16 developmental and test , with full-rate production contracts following, including a 2010 multi-year agreement valued at $5.297 billion for 58 Growlers alongside 66 Super Hornets to fulfill the program's remaining requirements. Originally planned for approximately 90 aircraft to replace the EA-6B Prowler fleet, the procurement quantity expanded to a total of 160 U.S. Growlers by the late , reflecting increased demand for airborne electronic attack capabilities amid evolving threats. Boeing's facility in , , handles the conversion process, modifying F/A-18F Super Hornet airframes by integrating electronic warfare pods, antennas, and mission systems during final assembly. New aircraft production is scheduled to conclude in late 2025 with the delivery of the final U.S. units, after which will transition the line to sustainment, upgrades, and potential export support, though congressional budget directives have periodically added funding for extra airframes beyond service plans. In July 2025, the awarded a sole-source for essential F/A-18 and EA-18G parts, prioritizing fleet readiness and stability despite concerns over reduced competition and potential cost efficiencies.

Design

Airframe and Integration

The Boeing EA-18G Growler employs the twin-engine airframe of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, modified to integrate electronic warfare mission requirements while retaining carrier-compatible fighter performance characteristics. This design leverages the Super Hornet's enlarged wing area—44.9 feet (13.7 meters) in span compared to the legacy Hornet's 40 feet—for enhanced lift and stability during low-speed carrier approaches and to accommodate underwing and wingtip mounting points for jamming pods without significant aerodynamic penalties. The structure features reinforced and tailhooks optimized for arrested landings and launches on aircraft carriers, with a spot factor of 1.23 enabling efficient deck parking. Powered by two F414-GE-400 engines producing a combined of 44,000 pounds, the Growler achieves a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 at altitude and supports combat radii exceeding 800 nautical miles with external fuel tanks, facilitating integration into strike packages where electronic attack aircraft must match escort fighter dash capabilities. Structural adaptations include internal bays and pylon reinforcements for up to five tactical jamming pods—two per and one centerline—replacing standard weapon stations while preserving the airframe's baseline empty weight of approximately 33,000 pounds and overall length of 60.2 feet. These modifications ensure the Growler maintains the Super Hornet's high-angle-of-attack handling and maneuverability limits, derived from wind-tunnel validated emphasizing over the leading-edge extensions. The airframe shares over 90 percent parts commonality with the F/A-18F Super Hornet, minimizing separate logistics sustainment burdens through common , , and components. This commonality extends to carrier-specific features like folding wings and corrosion-resistant materials for maritime operations, allowing seamless fleet integration and reduced training overhead for maintenance crews. Empirical confirmed that pod-equipped configurations incur minimal drag increments, preserving the platform's ability to operate in contested environments alongside multirole fighters.

Electronic Warfare Systems

The EA-18G Growler's primary electronic warfare capability derives from the AN/ tactical jamming system, which consists of external pods capable of interference against enemy radars and communications. The aircraft can carry up to five ALQ-99 pods—typically configured with two low-band jammers under the wings for surface threats and three high-band jammers (one under the and one under each wing) for air-to-air and precision targeting denial—providing full-spectrum coverage from low-frequency guidance to high-frequency fighter radars. These pods pair with the digital receiver system, mounted on wingtip pods, which detects, identifies, and geolocates emitters with high precision, enabling rapid response jamming within seconds of threat detection. In operational exercises, this integration has demonstrated effectiveness in suppressing systems, such as by overwhelming seekers and creating false targets to protect accompanying strike aircraft. The Growler incorporates the INCANS (Intercepted Signal Identification and Noise Suppression) subsystem, which automates noise cancellation and to mitigate self-interference from onboard transmitters, reducing crew workload compared to the three-person EA-6B Prowler. This enables effective two-aircrew operation—one pilot and one —while maintaining jamming efficacy, as validated in Navy testing where workload metrics showed sufficient management of complex threat environments without additional personnel.

Avionics and Self-Defense

The EA-18G Growler incorporates the (AESA) radar, which provides pilots with enhanced through improved image resolution, targeting precision, and multi-target tracking capabilities, even in electronic warfare environments. This multifunction radar supports secondary air-to-air roles by enabling rapid threat detection and cueing without compromising the aircraft's primary electronic attack mission. Integrated with the Growler's full digital flight , the APG-79 facilitates precise maneuvering and stability during high-threat jamming scenarios, where traditional controls might degrade. Self-defense capabilities emphasize survivability via the AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) system, which autonomously detects and counters radio-frequency guided threats through towed deployment and jamming. Complementing this, the Growler carries AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for beyond-visual-range engagements, allowing crews to neutralize inbound aerial threats proactively. This armament proved effective in July 2024, when a U.S. EA-18G from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 achieved the platform's first confirmed air-to-air kill—a Houthi drone—during operations over the amid carrier defense against missile and drone attacks. Cockpit avionics prioritize pilot-centric threat management, featuring hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls and an upgraded Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) that overlays real-time radar and sensor data onto the pilot's helmet visor. These enhancements, implemented progressively since the early 2010s, reduce by enabling off-boresight weapon cueing and threat prioritization without head movement, while addressing ergonomic issues like neck strain from legacy systems. Ongoing upgrades, including lighter helmet components certified in 2023, further improve endurance in prolonged contested missions.

Upgrades and Modernization

Block II and NGJ Programs

The Block II upgrade program for the EA-18G Growler addresses mid-life enhancements to improve survivability and adaptability against advanced electronic warfare threats, including those posed by sophisticated radar systems from adversaries such as . Initiated in the early 2020s, the program focuses on structural modifications to extend durability, alongside updates to the mission systems architecture that enable modular hardware integration and future capability insertions without major redesigns. These changes incorporate enhanced electronic surveillance via upgraded receivers, improved data links for real-time information sharing, and overall system architecture refinements to reduce crew workload and support incremental innovations in jamming and sensing. A core objective of Block II is to sustain the Growler's operational relevance through at least 2046 by bolstering its ability to counter dynamic threats in contested electromagnetic environments. This includes enabling the platform to integrate next-generation payloads while maintaining compatibility with carrier-based operations, with initial aircraft inductions for modifications occurring as early as 2021. The upgrades draw partial parallels to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's Block III enhancements, such as increased sensor sensitivity, but prioritize electronic attack-specific improvements to ensure the Growler can disrupt low-observable and frequency-agile enemy defenses effectively. The (NGJ) initiative represents a pivotal hardware advancement within the broader Block II framework, replacing the legacy tactical jamming pods with digitally agile systems optimized for low-band (VHF/UHF) threats that enable long-range radar detection and anti-access/area-denial tactics. The NGJ Low Band (NGJ-LB) variant, awarded to in a $587.4 million engineering and manufacturing development contract on September 12, 2024, delivers pod-mounted jammers capable of high-power, directed effects akin to focused electronic denial, allowing standoff suppression of enemy air defenses from safer distances. This system enhances the Growler's spectrum dominance by providing rapid frequency hopping, adaptive power management, and integration with the aircraft's updated mission architecture for coordinated multi-domain operations.

Recent Contracts and Enhancements

In June 2025, received a $53.1 million U.S. contract to produce and deliver 30 Next Generation Electronic Attack Unit (NGEAU) B-Kits and 22 NGEAU B-Kit spares for upgrading sensor and jamming systems on more than 30 EA-18G aircraft, enhancing electronic warfare capabilities against advanced and communication threats. This modification supports immediate integration of Block II hardware upgrades amid the fleet's production wind-down, prioritizing tactical jamming improvements over full NGJ pod deployment. In July 2025, secured a sole-source contract for critical parts sustaining F/A-18 and EA-18G operations, a approach that has drawn criticism for potentially inflating costs and limiting supplier competition in a mature platform ecosystem. Such deals reflect ongoing sustainment needs despite reduced new-build rates, with fiscal 2025 allocations emphasizing repairs and modifications to extend viability. The Royal Australian Air Force's February 2023 approval of Project AIR 5349 Phase 6 allocated approximately A$2 billion for enhancements supporting its fleet of 13 , including upgraded facilities for improved connectivity, ALQ-218 receiver , and overall electronic attack interoperability at . Complementing this, a June 2025 U.S. foreign sale approval provided up to $2 billion in sustainment support for Australian F/A-18F and EA-18G assets, designating as the prime contractor to ensure long-term logistical compatibility with U.S. standards. By August 1, 2025, the combined U.S. F/A-18E/F and EA-18G fleet exceeded 12 million total flight hours, underscoring the platform's proven endurance and the imperative for targeted enhancements to counter emerging threats like proliferated drone swarms and hypersonic systems. Boeing's March 2025 assessment highlighted the Growler's adaptations in real-world scenarios, where pilots leveraged its jamming pods and receivers to disrupt non-traditional emitters, validating incremental upgrades as vital for relevance in peer-adversary conflicts despite budgetary pressures on full-spectrum modernization.

Operational History

U.S. Navy Service

The U.S. began integrating the EA-18G Growler into its fleet in 2008, with the first production aircraft delivered to Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (), the , on June 3 at , Washington. , based at Whidbey Island, serves as the primary training unit for Growler aircrews and has overseen the transition of multiple squadrons from the legacy EA-6B Prowler. By 2010, achieved the first carrier deployment of the Growler, marking full operational integration into carrier air wings. The Navy expanded its Growler force to 16 operational squadrons by late 2024, all primarily homeported at NAS Whidbey Island, which hosts the majority of electronic attack assets. These squadrons routinely embark on deployments aboard vessels such as Nimitz-class carriers, providing airborne electronic attack capabilities during peacetime operations and forward presence missions. Growlers participate in large-scale training exercises, including Northern Edge, where they demonstrate dominance by jamming enemy radars and communications to support non-stealth aircraft like F/A-18s alongside stealth platforms such as the F-35. This role emphasizes the Growler's full-spectrum jamming pods and sensors, enabling escort jamming and stand-off electronic warfare without relying on stealth features. In August 2025, the combined F/A-18 and EA-18G fleet surpassed 12 million flight hours, equivalent to approximately 1,370 years of continuous operation, underscoring the platforms' reliability and sustained readiness within carrier air wings. This milestone reflects extensive training evolutions and routine deployments that maintain proficiency in spectrum control and electronic attack missions.

Combat Operations

The EA-18G Growler achieved its combat debut during in March 2011, supporting enforcement of a over by jamming Gaddafi regime radar and communications systems, which facilitated coalition airstrikes on ground targets including tanks while preventing losses to integrated air defenses. Five aircraft from were redeployed from to in for these missions, marking the first operational use of the platform's jamming pods in suppressing enemy electronic emissions during active hostilities. In subsequent operations under against ISIS in and , Growlers from carrier strike groups integrated into coalition air campaigns, providing standoff electronic attacks to degrade adversary command-and-control networks and radar-guided threats, thereby enhancing strike package survivability amid dynamic battlefield conditions. The platform demonstrated expanded kinetic capabilities in July 2024 during U.S. Navy operations in the , where an EA-18G from "Zappers" aboard achieved the type's first confirmed air-to-air kill by downing a Houthi-launched drone targeting international shipping lanes, supplementing its primary electronic warfare role with self-defense engagements against Iranian proxy asymmetric threats. This engagement, part of over 700 combat sorties flown by Growlers in the theater, underscored their utility in disrupting drone swarms and salvos by combining jamming with precision strikes using AGM-88-series missiles.

Australian Operations

The Royal Australian Air Force acquired 12 Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft through a June 2014 contract under a U.S. agreement, with the first unveiled in July 2015 and full delivery completed by July 2017. Following the loss of one aircraft in a June 2018 training crash at , the fleet of 11 Growlers achieved initial operating capability in April 2019, operated by No. 6 Squadron at . A replacement Growler was approved for purchase in October 2021 and delivered in 2023 to restore the fleet to 12 aircraft. Based at Amberley, the Growlers integrate with RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets and E-7A Wedgetails to support missions, emphasizing land-based electronic warfare self-reliance without dependence on U.S. carrier strike groups. This configuration enables standalone suppression of enemy air defenses and jamming operations tailored to Australia's expeditionary needs, maintained through Boeing's Air Combat Electronic Attack Sustainment Program for ongoing commonality with U.S. Navy systems. RAAF Growlers have demonstrated interoperability in joint exercises, including 2022 in Australia's , where they performed electronic attack alongside U.S. and allied forces, and multiple iterations of at Nellis AFB, such as Red Flag 23-1 in January 2023, validating coordinated jamming tactics. These activities highlight enhanced allied electronic warfare coordination distinct from unilateral U.S. deployments. In February 2023, approved a A$2 billion upgrade package for the Growler fleet, incorporating Block II airframe modifications, AN/ALQ-249 mid-band pods, sensor enhancements, and AGM-88E AARGM-ER missiles for extended-range anti-radiation strikes against advanced regional threats. These improvements, including electronic warfare training range upgrades at Amberley, aim to sustain capability through the 2030s amid evolving challenges.

International Efforts

Export Successes

The Royal Australian Air Force became the sole international operator of the EA-18G Growler, announcing the acquisition of 12 aircraft in August 2012 to establish Australia's first dedicated airborne electronic attack capability. This decision addressed the absence of a standoff electronic warfare platform in the RAAF inventory, enabling suppression of enemy air defenses and disruption of adversary communications in contested environments. The Growler's integration with the RAAF's F/A-18F Super Hornet fleet facilitated shared logistics, training, and maintenance, enhancing operational efficiency and interoperability with U.S. forces. Boeing unveiled the first aircraft for in July 2015 under a U.S. agreement, with deliveries to the RAAF commencing in 2017 and completing by 2019, when the capability achieved initial operating capability. The acquisition strengthened Australia's contribution to operations, providing advanced jamming pods and precision weapons for electronic attack missions. As of October 2025, no other nations have procured the Growler, with Boeing concluding production of new aircraft in 2025 to prioritize sustainment and upgrades for U.S. Navy and RAAF fleets. A replacement aircraft for one lost in a 2018 accident was approved in 2021 and delivered in September 2025, maintaining the fleet at 12 operational Growlers.

Unsuccessful Bids and Potential Markets

In Finland's HX fighter replacement program, initiated to succeed the F/A-18C fleet, Boeing proposed a package of 50 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and 14 EA-18G Growlers in April 2021. The Finnish Ministry of Defence evaluated the offer during flight trials starting in 2020, but ultimately selected 64 F-35A Lightning II aircraft on December 10, 2021, citing superior multirole capabilities, stealth, and interoperability with allies over the Growler's specialized electronic warfare (EW) focus. The rejection highlighted the Growler's niche role as insufficient for Finland's primary need for versatile strike fighters, rather than a dedicated standoff EW platform requiring separate logistics and training. Japan expressed preliminary interest in the EA-18G during the 2010s amid discussions for enhancing Izumo-class helicopter destroyers' capabilities, but pursued F-35B modifications for carrier operations instead, completed by 2021. U.S. export restrictions under the (ITAR), which classify the Growler's advanced ALQ-218 and ALQ-99 systems as sensitive defense articles, limited technology transfer feasibility. Japan prioritized domestic upgrades and F-35 integration for EW needs, avoiding the Growler's carrier-based platform due to alignment with indigenous development goals. Broader export challenges include ITAR compliance burdens, which impose strict licensing for the Growler's EW pods and software, deterring non-allied buyers. from fifth-generation fighters like the F-35, featuring integrated EW suites such as the radar and electronic attack capabilities, reduces demand for dedicated platforms like the Growler. Boeing's announcement to end F/A-18/EA-18G production in late 2025 further constrains potential markets, with no confirmed foreign bids emerging post-2023 despite earlier sustainment approvals for existing operators. This reflects empirical barriers: high sustainment costs for a specialized asset and preference for multi-mission aircraft in resource-limited air forces.

Performance and Assessment

Operational Effectiveness

The EA-18G Growler exhibits superior operational effectiveness over the EA-6B Prowler through greater speed, extended range, and enhanced automation, enabling more efficient electronic attack missions. Capable of supersonic speeds up to Mach 1.8 compared to the Prowler's subsonic maximum of approximately 566 knots, the Growler achieves a combat radius exceeding 850 nautical miles versus the Prowler's shorter effective loiter time limited by its slower cruise speed of 418 knots. The reduction from four crew members in the Prowler to two in the Growler incorporates advanced automation for signal processing and jamming, streamlining operations and reducing manpower demands while maintaining or exceeding coverage in contested electromagnetic environments. U.S. Navy operational test evaluations, including those from the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), have confirmed the Growler's effectiveness in tactical jamming and electronic protection, supporting its role in spectrum dominance with fewer assets required relative to legacy systems. As a force multiplier, the Growler enables integration by providing active, full-spectrum jamming that denies adversary sensors and communications, addressing gaps in low-observable designs like the F-35, which prioritize passive evasion over offensive electronic warfare. Boeing representatives have argued that stealth alone is "perishable" against evolving threats, positioning the Growler as essential for comprehensive protection of strike packages through its ability to disrupt s, , and networks simultaneously. This capability extends to escorting non-stealth platforms, where pilots describe the Growler as the "next best thing to true stealth" by blinding defenses via deception and suppression, thereby amplifying overall mission success rates without sole dependence on radar cross-section reduction. Recent adaptations, including the integration of pods deployed operationally by February 2025, have bolstered the Growler's effectiveness against peer-level (A2/AD) threats, such as integrated air defense systems and proliferated drones. assessments highlight the NGJ's open-architecture design for rapid updates, allowing the Growler to counter multiple simultaneous threats like cruise missiles and unmanned systems through high-power, directed jamming without compromising friendly communications. Pilots and program officials credit these enhancements for pivotal roles in exercises and initial combat cruises, where the aircraft's standoff electronic attack disrupts adversary kill chains, preserving strike force integrity in high-threat scenarios. This positions the Growler as a critical enabler for joint operations, multiplying the combat power of accompanying assets by denying enemy detection and engagement opportunities across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Criticisms and Challenges

The EA-18G Growler has faced scrutiny over its safety record, with multiple crashes highlighting potential maintenance and operational strains exacerbated by broader Boeing manufacturing quality issues. In February 2025, a Whidbey Island-based EA-18G crashed into San Diego Bay during an approach to Naval Air Station North Island, with both pilots ejecting safely amid adverse weather conditions, marking the second such incident involving Whidbey-assigned aircraft in four months. Earlier, in October 2024, another Whidbey-based Growler crashed near Mount Rainier, resulting in the deaths of both crew members, with wreckage recovery confirming the severity of high-altitude training risks. These events have been linked to systemic pressures on fleet maintenance, amid Boeing's documented challenges in quality control across platforms, though Navy investigations have not always attributed causes directly to airframe defects. Procurement and sustainment costs have drawn criticism due to sole-source contracts that limit and potentially inflate expenses. In July 2025, secured a sole-source deal for F/A-18 and EA-18G parts, prompting concerns from industry observers about reduced bidding opportunities and higher long-term costs for the taxpayer-funded program. Such arrangements, while justified by the for proprietary integration needs, have been flagged in acquisition reviews as contributing to the Growler's elevated lifecycle expenses compared to multi-vendor alternatives. Environmental and community impacts, particularly aircraft noise from training operations, have led to legal challenges. In August 2024, a federal judge ruled that the Navy's 2019 for expanded EA-18G field carrier landing practices at inadequately assessed noise effects on nearby schools and residences, mandating a supplemental review and consideration of alternative sites like . The decision highlighted deficiencies in quantifying noise's interference with classroom learning and , with studies indicating potential long-term health risks such as stress and hearing impairment for two-thirds of Island County residents exposed to Growler overflights. Critics, including local advocacy groups, argue that the Navy prioritized over mitigation, though the service maintains that co-location at Whidbey optimizes training pipelines. Debates persist on the Growler's ongoing necessity amid the integration of fifth-generation platforms like the F-35, with some analysts questioning whether its dedicated electronic attack role duplicates emerging onboard jamming capabilities. Proponents of F-35 primacy, including Air Force leaders in 2014 assessments, have contended that stealthy fighters' integrated electronic warfare suffices for contested environments, potentially obviating specialized jammers like the Growler during high-intensity conflicts. However, Navy evaluations emphasize the Growler's superior stand-off jamming power via ALQ-99 pods, which provides broad-spectrum disruption not fully replicated by the F-35's forward-aspect, lower-power systems, filling gaps in low-observable threat suppression. Boeing's advocacy for Growler sustainment has been viewed by skeptics as self-interested, given its stake in Super Hornet lineage production, though empirical data from exercises underscores unique capabilities against peer adversaries' integrated air defenses.

Operators

Current Operators

The operates the largest fleet of EA-18G Growlers, with approximately 150 aircraft in service as of August 2025. These are assigned to 15 electronic attack squadrons (VAQ), primarily homebased at , Washington, with deployments aboard aircraft carriers integrated into carrier air wings for naval expeditionary operations. The Royal Australian Air Force fields 13 EA-18G Growlers, all assigned to No. 6 Squadron at , , where they provide electronic warfare support integrated with joint Australian forces. No other nations actively operate the EA-18G Growler in 2025.

Specifications

General Characteristics

The EA-18G Growler is a twin-engine, carrier-capable operated by a crew of two: one pilot and one .
CharacteristicSpecification
Length60.2 ft (18.5 m)
Wingspan44.9 ft (13.68 m)
Height16 ft (4.87 m)
Empty weight33,094 lb (15,011 kg)
Max takeoff weight66,000 lb (29,937 kg)
Maximum speedMach 1.8
Ferry range1,800+ nautical miles
Service ceiling50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Engines2 × F414-GE-400 turbofans, 22,000 lbf (98 kN) thrust each

Armament and Equipment

The EA-18G Growler features 11 external hardpoints configured for modular payloads emphasizing electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and self-protection, enabling flexible loadouts for standoff jamming and escort missions. These stations support up to five AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system (TJS) pods—typically two per underwing pylon and one under-fuselage—which deliver broadband radio-frequency jamming against enemy radars and communications emitters to disrupt integrated air defense systems. A representative mission loadout includes three ALQ-99 pods alongside two AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARM) for targeting radar sources and two AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) for defensive intercepts. Defensive systems integrate the AN/ALQ-214 integrated defensive electronic countermeasures (IDECM) suite, which autonomously detects threats and deploys , flares, and directed RF jamming to counter incoming missiles. For range extension in standoff EW roles, configurations incorporate 480-gallon external fuel tanks on select stations, preserving the aircraft's internal fuel capacity of approximately 14,000 pounds while maintaining payload flexibility. Secondary multi-role options, leveraging compatibility with F/A-18F Super Hornet stores, may include anti-ship missiles such as the AGM-84 , though primary operations prioritize EW pods over kinetic strike munitions to optimize spectrum dominance. Loadout versatility is constrained by weight limits exceeding 17,000 pounds across stations, with configurations tested to balance jamming radius, , and against peer threats. The absence of an internal gun emphasizes reliance on missiles and EW for engagement, aligning with the platform's role in networked strike packages.

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  95. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2014/03/28/air-combat-five-reasons-fifth-gen-fighters-dont-need-help-from-jammer-planes/
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  97. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2024/november/better-airborne-tactical-electronic-warfare
  98. https://www.quora.com/Can-the-The-EA-18-Growler-face-off-against-F-22-and-F-35
  99. https://theaviationist.com/2025/08/04/us-navy-fa-18-ea-18-12-million-fh/
  100. https://www.usna.edu/NavalAviation/FixedWingAircraft/EA18G_Growler.php
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