EA-18G Growler

Aircraft Profile

The EA-18G Growler is a variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet Block II, and conducts airborne electronic attack missions. The EA-18G combines the capability of the combat-proven Super Hornet with the latest AEA avionics suite evolved from the Improved Capability III system. The EA-18G's vast array of sensors and weapons provides the warfighter with a lethal and survivable weapon system to counter current and emerging threats.

The AEA suite provides state-of-the-art selective-reactive and pre-emptive jamming capability. The majority of the AEA-unique avionics are installed on a pallet in the gun bay and in two wingtip pods. Nine weapon stations provide unique flexibility for carriage of weapons, jamming pods, and other stores to meet the needs for standoff jamming, escort jamming, time critical strike, or communications countermeasures. The AEA communications receiver and jamming system provide electronic suppression and attack against communication threats. These systems, combined with the F/A-18F Super Hornet air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, yield a formidable and flexible capability with significant growth capability for the future. The EA-18G advanced cockpit combines with its onboard sensors and weapons to enable superior Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) capability. The active electronically scanned array APG-79 AESA radar offers increased electronic warfare support and is capable of precision targeting utilizing cues from the ALQ-218 precision receiver system. Integrating these systems with advanced weapons yields a more formidable SEAD capability than previously possible.