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.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
