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Boeing EA-18G Growler

Boeing · Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) · USA · Modern (1992–2009)

Boeing EA-18G Growler — Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA)
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The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American twin-engine, carrier-capable electronic-warfare aircraft derived by Boeing from the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. Entering U.S. Navy service in 2009, it replaced the long-serving Grumman EA-6B Prowler in the airborne-electronic-attack role aboard U.S. Navy carriers and at expeditionary land bases. As of 2026 the Growler is the principal U.S. escort EW platform — the only carrier-capable Western electronic-attack jet in active service, and one of two such aircraft worldwide alongside the Russian Su-34/30R-derivative platforms.

Roughly 90% commonality with the F/A-18F is retained: same airframe, two General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans (~22,000 lbf each), digital cockpit, and AN/APG-79 AESA radar. The principal additions are AN/ALQ-218 wideband receiver wingtip pods (replacing the F/A-18F's missile rails), AN/ALQ-99 escort EW pods (under-fuselage and underwing, inherited from the EA-6B), the AN/ALQ-227 Communications Countermeasures Set, and an enlarged rear cockpit dedicated to the Naval Flight Officer (NFO) EW operator. Between 2024 and 2030 the fleet is transitioning to the Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ), an AESA-jamming pod (AN/ALQ-249) replacing the 1970s-era ALQ-99 and providing 10× the effective range with far broader bandwidth.

Three mission categories define the EA-18G: Suppression / Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD/DEAD), jamming or destroying radar and SAM systems with AGM-88 HARM, AGM-88E AARGM, and AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles; stand-off comms jamming against enemy command, control, and data links; and escort jamming alongside strike packages with real-time electronic protection. Maximum take-off weight is 66,000 lb, combat radius approximately 700 nmi, service ceiling 50,000 ft, and maximum speed Mach 1.8. Self-defence armament is limited to AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, with no air-to-air gun.

The Growler has deployed continuously since 2010, flying in Operation Odyssey Dawn (Libya, 2011), Operation Inherent Resolve (Iraq / Syria against ISIS, 2014–present), NATO eastern-flank rotations, and across the U.S. Navy carrier force. The U.S. Navy operates ~152 EA-18G across 13 fleet squadrons and 2 reserve squadrons — based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington (Pacific Fleet) and NAS Lemoore, California. The Royal Australian Air Force flies 12 EA-18G — the sole foreign operator — at RAAF Base Amberley, providing Australia's escort electronic-warfare arm. Around 164 airframes have been delivered (152 USN + 12 RAAF); production at Boeing's St. Louis facility ended in 2023 with the U.S. Navy fleet complete.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The EA-18G Growler is a Navy electronic warfare jet. It is based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The Growler carries jamming pods and missiles for attacking enemy radars. Its job is to blind enemy radar so other planes can fly through safely.

The Growler has two engines making 44,000 pounds of thrust together. Top speed is Mach 1.8, faster than a rifle bullet. The plane looks like a Super Hornet from outside, but it has special pods under the wings filled with electronic jammers. Two crew members fly: a pilot and a weapons officer.

The Growler carries jam pods, HARM missiles, and AMRAAM missiles. HARM missiles home in on enemy radar signals and destroy them. AMRAAM missiles defend the Growler in air combat. Some Growlers carry listening pods to find where the enemy is hiding.

The Navy has 158 Growlers and Australia flies 12 more. Growlers have flown in combat over Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Afghanistan. The Growler replaced the older EA-6B Prowler in 2015. Each Growler costs about $68 million.

Fun Facts

  • The Growler is based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet but built for electronic warfare.
  • Top speed is Mach 1.8, faster than a rifle bullet.
  • The Navy has 158 Growlers; Australia also flies 12 of them.
  • Two crew members fly: a pilot and an electronic-warfare officer.
  • The Growler replaced the older EA-6B Prowler in 2015.
  • Each Growler costs about $68 million, less than half an F-35.
  • Growlers can fire AGM-88 HARM missiles that home in on enemy radar signals.

Kids’ Questions

What is electronic warfare?

Electronic warfare means using radio signals as a weapon. The Growler carries pods that send out powerful radio noise, which blinds enemy radars. The Growler can also pick up enemy radar signals, helping its missiles find and destroy radar sites. This protects other planes by blinding the enemy's ability to find and shoot them.

How is it different from a Super Hornet?

From outside, the Growler looks just like a Super Hornet. The differences are inside: special jamming pods under the wings, more powerful radio antennas, and a much more powerful onboard computer for processing electronic signals. The back seat has a special weapons officer who runs all the electronic warfare gear.

Why protect other planes?

Modern enemy air-defense radar can spot fighters from 100+ miles away and shoot them down with missiles. The Growler blinds these radars by jamming them, so other planes (like F/A-18s, F-35s, and B-1B bombers) can fly through safely. Without electronic warfare, modern strike missions would be much more dangerous for everyone.

Variants

EA-18G (Block 1)
Initial production variant. Entered U.S. Navy service June 2009 with VAQ-129 'Vikings' at NAS Whidbey Island. ~120 delivered through 2018. Carries the AN/ALQ-99 legacy ECM pod inherited from the EA-6B Prowler.
EA-18G (Block 2)
Improved variant from 2014. Adds the Distributed Targeting System (DTS) for cooperative EW targeting across multiple Growlers, refreshed cockpit displays, and improved EWO workload management. ~32 delivered.
EA-18G NGJ-MB (Next-Gen Jammer Mid-Band)
Major upgrade fielding 2024–2027. Replaces the AN/ALQ-99 mid-band pod with the Raytheon AN/ALQ-249(V)1 NGJ-MB AESA pod. Delivers ~10× effective range and far broader bandwidth. IOC achieved 2024.
EA-18G NGJ-LB (Next-Gen Jammer Low-Band)
Companion low-band pod (L3Harris AN/ALQ-249(V)2) under development for 2027–2029 fielding. Replaces low-frequency ALQ-99 functions and provides updated coverage against legacy long-wavelength radars (early-warning, VHF / UHF).
EA-18G Block III (proposed)
Proposed mid-life upgrade under U.S. Navy budget studies — refreshed cockpit, additional sensor integration, possibly conformal fuel tanks. Not yet a programme of record. Would extend EA-18G service life to 2040.

Notable Operators

U.S. Navy
Primary operator. ~152 EA-18G delivered. Operating units include 13 active-duty Electronic Attack Squadrons (VAQ-129, VAQ-130, VAQ-131, VAQ-132, VAQ-133, VAQ-134, VAQ-135, VAQ-136, VAQ-137, VAQ-138, VAQ-139, VAQ-140, VAQ-141) plus 2 reserve squadrons. Bases: NAS Whidbey Island, Washington (Pacific Fleet) and NAS Lemoore, California (Atlantic Fleet). Forward-deployed aboard all 11 U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.
Royal Australian Air Force
Sole foreign operator. 12 EA-18G ordered 2013, delivered 2017–2018. Fly with 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland — Australia's only escort EW arm and the only non-U.S. EA-18G fleet worldwide. Combat-deployed for Operation Okra (Iraq / Syria, 2017–2020).
U.S. Navy Reserve
VAQ-209 'Star Warriors' at NAS Whidbey Island flies ~6 EA-18G for surge capacity, fleet replacement training, and contingency support. Provides backup coverage for major-conflict scaling of U.S. Navy EW presence.
Boeing test / development
Boeing flight-test fleet at McAir / St. Louis, Missouri operates ~3 EA-18G for ongoing development testing of NGJ pods, software upgrades, and feature enhancements. New-build production ended in 2023; the test fleet continues for ongoing development.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the EA-18G differ from the F/A-18F Super Hornet?

The EA-18G is an EW derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet with roughly 90% commonality. Key differences: AN/ALQ-218 wideband receiver wingtip pods replace the AIM-9 missile rails (limiting self-defence); AN/ALQ-99 (or NGJ) ECM pods occupy stations 3 and 7 in place of weapons hardpoints; the rear cockpit is reconfigured as an EWO workstation rather than a weapons-systems officer station; software and databus changes support the EW mission. Combat radius, speed, and weapons performance remain comparable to the F/A-18F, but the airframe is optimised for electronic warfare rather than strike-fighter work.

What did the EA-18G replace?

The Grumman EA-6B Prowler — a 4-seat carrier-capable electronic-warfare aircraft based on the A-6 Intruder. The EA-6B served the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from 1971 to 2019 (the Marine Corps retained it longer than the Navy). By the 2000s the Prowler was technologically aged and required replacement; the EA-18G provided a modern airframe, digital cockpit, and updated jamming systems while retaining rebuilt and life-extended AN/ALQ-99 pods. The U.S. Marine Corps subsequently moved its electronic-warfare role to the F-35B plus EA-18G rather than fielding a dedicated airframe.

What is the Next-Generation Jammer?

NGJ is a major programme replacing the 1970s-era AN/ALQ-99 with new AESA-based jammer pods. Three pods are planned: NGJ-MB (Mid-Band, Raytheon AN/ALQ-249(V)1, fielding 2024–2027) for primary jamming functions; NGJ-LB (Low-Band, L3Harris AN/ALQ-249(V)2, fielding 2027–2029) for low-frequency early-warning radars; and NGJ-HB (High-Band, future) for high-frequency systems. NGJ provides ~10× the effective range, broader bandwidth, faster signal processing, and digital-radio-frequency-memory (DRFM) features for next-generation electronic-attack techniques. Total programme value: $7–10B USD across all three pod types.

Can the EA-18G shoot down enemy aircraft?

Self-defence is limited. The Growler can carry up to 4 AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles plus 2 AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range missiles — far less than the F/A-18F, which retains the M61A1 cannon and 8+ air-to-air missiles. The EA-18G is intended for self-defence only and relies on F/A-18E/F or F-35 escorts for air superiority. In November 2017 an EA-18G of VAQ-141 'Shadowhawks' downed a Syrian Su-22 over Raqqa with an AIM-9X — the only known EA-18G air-to-air engagement.

What weapons does the EA-18G carry?

Principal weapons are anti-radiation missiles: AGM-88 HARM (legacy), AGM-88E AARGM (millimetre-wave seeker for terminal-phase precision against shut-down radars), and AGM-88G AARGM-ER (Extended-Range, in service from 2024). Self-defence comes from the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM. For surveillance and cueing, ALQ-218 receivers detect, classify, and locate emitters while ALQ-99 / NGJ pods jam them. The Growler can also carry conventional bombs (Mk-80 series, JDAM, JSOW) but rarely does so in service — the EW role takes priority.

Why is the EA-18G the only Western carrier EW aircraft?

Programmatic and doctrinal choices drove the outcome. The U.S. Air Force phased out dedicated EW aircraft (the EF-111 Raven retired in 1998) in favour of integrated EW kit on the F-15E, F-16CJ, and F-35, relying on stand-in jamming rather than dedicated stand-off platforms. The U.S. Marine Corps retired the EA-6B in 2019 without direct replacement, leaning on F-35B integrated EW. Only the U.S. Navy kept a dedicated platform — driven by the doctrine requirement to escort carrier-air-wing strikes into high-air-defence environments. NATO allies have likewise relied on integrated kit, with Australia the exception given its Pacific-theatre requirements.

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