The U.S. Navy's EA-18G program is considering pursuing a next-generation jammer and other upgrades that could be fielded on the electronic attack jet after it enters service in a few years, a government program official said Nov. 8.

While the ALQ-99 radar jamming system has done "a great job" on other Navy aircraft and initially will be adequate for the EA-18G, it might eventually have to be replaced due to high support costs and the need to keep up with changing threats, said Capt. Steve Kochman, the Navy's EA-18G program manager.

The program is also exploring adding weapons and replacing the satellite communications receiver, among other changes, Kochman said at a press briefing on the EA-18G. The various upgrades are under consideration as part of the fiscal 2008 budget planning process.

The Boeing Co., the program's prime contractor, indicated in March that it was starting to survey future users of the EA-18G to find out what type of upgrades they would like after the Navy starts fielding the jet in 2009 (DAILY, March 24).

On track

Navy and industry officials said the program continues to remain on track for its first flight on Sept. 1, 2006. In St. Louis, Boeing is converting two F/A-18F Super Hornets to the EA-18G configuration to serve as test assets.

Bob Feldmann, Boeing's EA-18G program manager, said the program, which entered its system development and demonstration (SDD) phase almost two years ago, is about 3-4 percent under cost so far. Boeing has a $979 million contract for SDD.

Feldmann and Dan Roper, who oversees Northrop Grumman's work on the program, said the program has grappled with several technical challenges, including making Northrop Grumman's wingtip-mounted ALQ-218 radio-frequency receiver system durable enough to withstand harsh weather. But they said the program believes it has found solutions for those challenges.

Although budget constraints have fueled speculation that many Navy aviation programs, including the EA-18G, could be cut, Kochman said he believes his program has "great analysis" to defend its plan to buy 90 aircraft to equip 10 squadrons and meet training and other needs. He said budget discussions have looked at potential increases in the number of aircraft, as well as potential decreases.

The Navy plans to award a contract on Nov. 30 for the first four production EA-18Gs, as well as for 38 more F/A-18E/Fs, said Lisa Nyalko, the Navy's F/A-18-EA-18G deputy program manager.

The EA-18G's name is no longer a source of speculation. After more than two years of waiting, the Navy announced that it has finally received approval to use the "Growler" name.