USN Growlers undergo structural and mission systems modification
Airborne Electronic Attack System Enhancements will be added to the EA-18G fleet.
Boeing has begun a five-year modification programme for the entire USN EA-18G Growler fleet with the induction of the first EW aircraft at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
‘The modifications are focused on updating the jets’ structural and mission systems architecture, enabling future capability growth for the Navy’s 160 Growler aircraft,’ Boeing announced in a statement on 19 March.
Full-rate modification is expected to start in June 2021. The ALQ-218 receiver system will receive the Airborne Electronic Attack System Enhancements modification, enabling the Growler to operate in ‘increasingly complex electromagnetic environments’, according to Boeing.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the ALQ-218 utilises a combination of short-, medium- and long-baseline interferometer techniques, with a patented passive ranging algorithm, to provide geo-location of emitters for cueing jammers and other onboard sensors such as EO/IR sensors and radar.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed]()
Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed
New Delhi had been gearing up to sign a Navy Rafale deal as talks swirled around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
![Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister]()
Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister
The comment, made by Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler, also noted that the 40-strong sale of Eurofighter Typhoons was primarily managed by the UK, not Germany.
-
![Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme]()
Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme
Airbus has been advancing development of its uncrewed MQ-72C Logistics Connector for the US Marine Corps, with a decision on the programme expected in early 2026.
-
![Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet]()
Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet
The statement from Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a parliamentary session follows the country’s Easter Agreement which would see it increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by the end of 2025.
-
![Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs]()
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
![Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss]()
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
