5 Electronic Warfare Capabilities Of The US Navy's EA-18G Growler
This F/A-18F Super Hornet variant is an electronic force to be reckoned with.
simpleflying.comappeared at 2004 production start, entered production in 2004; first flight occurred in 2006; IOC with the Navy around 2009 timeframe; deployment began in 2010; unit cost about $67 million. carries AGM-88 HARM missiles for SEAD, using state-of-the-art jamming pods and AESA-related systems to jam defenses and protect allied forces. Equipped for speeds up to Mach 1.8 and flies at altitudes up to about 50,000 feet, with a typical combat range near 1,275 miles without external fuel. The aircraft remains a twin-engine, carrier-based electronic warfare asset developed from the F/A-18F Super Hornet, designed to jam radar and communications while escorting strike packages. It has an emphasis on defense suppression to support mission success. Designed to jam, protect, and project electronic attack against integrated air defenses. Price tag cited around $67 million, with deployment starting a decade ago. This aircraft integrates AES A-related systems to improve battlefield communications suppression. Operational role centers on suppression of enemy air defenses while shielding allied strike packages.