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.comwas seen at 2004 production start, began production in 2004; first flight occurred in 2006; IOC with the Navy around 2009 timeframe; deployment began in 2010; unit cost around $67 million. is armed with AGM-88 HARM missiles for SEAD, using state-of-the-art jamming pods and AESA-related systems to jam defenses and protect allied forces. Capable of 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 enable mission success. Built to jam, protect, and project electronic attack against integrated air defenses. Unit cost cited around $67 million, with deployment starting a decade ago. It integrates AES-related systems to improve battlefield communications suppression. Operational role centers on SEAD while protecting allied strike packages.