EA-18

Mission — EA-18G Development source

The EA-18G development program upgrades the Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) capability to detect, identify, locate and suppress hostile emitters; provides enhanced connectivity to National, Theater and Strike assets; and provides passive organic precision emitter targeting for employment of precision strike weapons and onboard suppression weapons (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile family) to fulfill operational requirements. The EA-18G is the only tactical AEA platform for the joint force and is continually called upon to provide effects for USN, USMC, and USAF assets. There is no planned replacement for the EA-18G and improvements will fill capability gaps for the Air Wing of the Future North Star effort.

Mission — EA-18 Squadrons source

The EA-18G Growler is the primary Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) platform supporting the Joint Force and the sole tactical AEA aircraft in the DoD inventory. The Growler is an asymmetric force multiplier that increases the survivability and lethality of the Joint Force within a non-permissive environment, while enabling all-domain superiority for the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS). The centrality of EMS dominance to the CNO's Maritime Strategy further necessitates EA-18G modernization as a strategic pursuit to secure EMS superiority for the Navy's Carrier Strike and Joint Expeditionary operations. Due to the rapid advancements of the adversary's capabilities, the EA-18G will be called upon in future engagements to operate at increased ranges from the threat which far exceed the current capability to effectively deliver kinetic and non-kinetic effects. The Growler Block II is a foundational spiral upgrade that will implement the incremental and innovative capability improvements required for Naval Aviation to regain and sustain an advantage in the EMS until the EA-18G is replaced. Growler Block II consists of onboard sensors of the EA-18G, namely the ALQ-218, require improved sensitivity and processing to detect, identify, and locate advanced complex threats at longer ranges. The ALQ-218 is a combination of multiple Weapons Replaceable Assemblies (WRAs), enabled by software, providing a mechanism for incremental capability improvement. The current Electronic Attack Unit (EAU) WRA will be replaced by the Next Generation Electronic Attack Unit (NGEAU), beginning the transition to Growler Block II Phase I. This upgrade, coupled with the Reactive Electronic Attack Measures (REAM) capability, greatly enhances the EA-18G's autonomous processing and response to unknown signals in an extremely dense EMS environment. Growler Block II Phase II, Beowulf, will include an advanced Multi-Function Array (MFA) in the Inboard Leading Edge Flaps (ILEF), augmenting the ALQ-218 functionality and capability. The MFA also serves as technology development and risk reduction for the incorporation of MFAs on multiple future platforms. Capabilities of the EA-18G weapon system and ancillary equipment can be upgraded to incorporate new or enhanced weapons as well as advances in technology to respond effectively to emerging and future threats. EA-18G "Flight Plan" spiral capability development is critical to the baseline of the EA-18G next generation mission system capability and to maintaining tactical relevance in support of the Air Wing of the Future. Development continues for design and integration of avionics systems, integration of Jamming Techniques Optimization (JATO) improvements, evolutionary software upgrades via Software Configuration Set (SCS) block builds and Agile software development, as well as related testing. Through FY2030, EA-18G Growler efforts will focus on developing quality components, continuing advanced development engineering; and improving reliability and maintainability. These collective efforts will enhance availability of critical assets to the fleet and maximize lifetime total cost of ownership benefits.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (4)