The EA-18G Growler is the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform and is the only one in production today.
A variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to U.S. military forces and Allies around the world.
Industry and the U.S. Navy continue to invest in advanced Growler capabilities to ensure it continues to protect all strike aircraft during high-threat missions for decades to come.
The EA-18G Growler is the U.S. Navy replacement for the EA-6B Prowler.
In June 2014, Boeing was awarded a contract for 12 Growlers to be acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force under a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the U.S. Navy.
Australia is the first country to be offered this level of AEA technology by the United States, which will give the RAAF unmatched electronic awareness and attack capabilities.
Specifications
Crew
2
Length
60 ft 1.25 in (18.31 m)
Wingspan
44 ft 8.5 in (13.62 m)
(Wing tip mounted pods included)
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 take-off weight
66,000 lb (29,964 kg)
Internal fuel capacity
13,940 lb (6,323 kg)
External fuel capacity
(3 x 480 gal 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
Range
1,275 nmi (1,458 mi, 2,346 km), clean plus two AIM-9s
Combat range
390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km), for interdiction mission
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
Hard points
9 total
6 under wing and 3 under-fuselage with a capacity of 17,750 lb (8,050 kg) external fuel and ordnance
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, two multi-mode conformal fuselage stations, 1 centreline fuselage removable hard point 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, 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 centreline and left conformal weapon stations, respectively.,
Avionics
Raytheon AN/APG-79 Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
Electronic Attack Unit (EAU) AES Mission Computer.
