The U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler is now operational, marking a new era in the Pentagon’s ability to conduct electronic attack missions more effectively around the globe.

The fast-moving aircraft’s introduction will bring much-needed relief to a heavily overtasked and aging EA-6B fleet, which has single-handedly been conducting the Pentagon’s escort jamming mission since the U.S. Air Force’s decision to retire the EF-111 fleet prematurely in 1998.

The Navy declared initial operational capability for the Growler in September, indicating that one squadron has fully transitioned from the legacy EA-6B Prowler. The squadron must also have sufficient personnel and training to support preparations for deployment on board an aircraft carrier, which is expected next year.

Both the ALQ-218 wingtip receivers and the larger under-wing ALQ-99 jamming pods are visible on these two Growlers assigned to VX-9 during operational evaluation flights over California. An AGM-88 HARM missile is visible on the EA-18G in the foreground. Credit: TED CARLSON/BOEING

Capt. Mark Darrah, the Navy’s Super Hornet and Growler program manager, would not say what specifically the Growler will be doing while abroad, citing sensitivities with mission details. However, it will “do the exact same missions” as the Prowler, he says, indicating it will be used for overland electronic attack (EA) and could potentially support operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The system could even be enlisted in the Pentagon’s continuing quest to halt attacks from improvised explosive devices, many of which use low-frequency communications to command detonation.

Although some items on the Boeing EA-18G had to be corrected based on the findings of the operational evaluation, the progression of the Growler program to this point is unique among many in the Pentagon’s developmental portfolio. The first Growler flight took place one month early, production aircraft are being delivered ahead of schedule, and the research and development phase did not experience a major cost overrun, says Darrah. In contrast, several other big projects—such as the F-22 software development effort, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and KC-135 aerial refueler replacement—have been mired in technical problems and oversight issues.

Darrah and Rick Martin, Boeing’s Growler program manager, say the smooth development is largely due to basing the system on proven technologies, reducing the level of risk to cost and schedule estimates. The Navy intentionally avoided risk in the hopes of fielding a system soon and to begin relieving the Prowler fleet.

The EA-18G is built on the F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet platform, and its mission systems include technology from the Improved Capability (ICAP) III suite of receivers and jammers, which were originally fielded for the Prowler. The $1.9-billion development program incorporates some new items, including the relo­cation of the ALQ-218 receivers to both wingtips of the Growler. In the Prowler, a single receiver was located on the vertical tail fin.

In addition, the introduction of the Interference Cancellation System (Incans) enables operators to maintain communications using the ALQ-227 antenna on the top of the aircraft just behind the canopy even while jamming from up to five ALQ-99 pods. Typically, the aircraft would operate with three—one under each wing and one under the center of the fuselage. Two additional pods could replace the under-wing refueling tanks.

“One of the biggest issues we had for situational awareness [in the Prowler] was that when we turned on our low-frequency jammer, we would block our own communications, both on transmit and receive,” says Darrah.

The Navy plans to use the EA-18Gs for standoff jamming of enemy air defense radars to allow friendly fighters to conduct operations inside their threat rings. The ALQ-99 pods could become less useful as enemy air defense systems continue to use lower frequencies to try to detect stealthier aircraft fielded by the U.S. and allied nations. Darrah notes, however, that the Growler is designed to operate through 2030.