Article Summary: The EA-18G Growler is the U.S. Navy’s premier electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, built to suppress enemy air defenses and dominate the electromagnetic spectrum. Based on the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Growler carries advanced jamming pods, sensors, and electronic attack (EA) capabilities to disrupt enemy radars, communications, and missile systems.
Key Point #1 – Equipped with ALQ-218 receivers and ALQ-99 jamming pods, it neutralizes threats while providing air cover.
Key Point #2 – The Navy is upgrading the Growler with the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ), enhancing its ability to jam multiple signals simultaneously. As threats evolve, the Growler remains a critical asset in modern air warfare operations.
EA-18G Growler: The U.S. Navy’s Ultimate Electronic Warfare Fighter
The Navy’s premiere electronic warfare aircraft is the EA-18 Growler. Based on the very successful F-18 Hornet, it replaced the EA-6 Prowler. The EA-18 can conduct escort and traditional standoff jamming missions such as radar jamming and deception. Growlers can accompany F/A-18s during all phases of an attack mission.
Electronic warfare now plays a critical role in maintaining air superiority. Aircraft explicitly designed for electric warfare, such as the EA-18 Growler, ensure the US and our allies are prepared for battle by providing the electronic warfare edge in combat in air-to-air or airstrike missions. When the requirements for EA and suppression of enemy defenses (SEAD) sorties are reduced, the Growler can carry out conventional strike missions.
What Is Electronic Warfare? And Why Is It Used?
The Department of Defense (DoD) defines electronic warfare (EW) as “Military activities that use electromagnetic energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum (“the spectrum”) and attack an enemy. The spectrum is a range of frequencies for electromagnetic energy. EW supports command and control (C2) by allowing military commanders’ access to the spectrum to communicate with forces, while preventing potential adversaries from accessing the spectrum to develop an operational picture and communicate with their forces.”
EW consists of three main categories or components. Electronic attack (EA), where electromagnetic energy from radio frequencies is used to jam, deceive, disrupt, deny, degrade, destroy, or otherwise neutralize enemy electronic systems.
Electronic Protection (EP) protects friendly electronic systems from interception, disruption, and jamming by enemies.
Electronic Support (ES) gathers intelligence by intercepting the enemy’s electronic signals. It uses this information to inform and optimize one’s electronic attack and protection capabilities.
A spokesman for BAE Systems said this on EW, “Our technology areas of focus include advanced electronics, long-range sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning, intelligent algorithms, adaptive signal processing, and multispectral, cognitive, and distributed EW capabilities.”
The EA-18G Growler
Although the Growler outwardly looks like any Hornet from the 1980s, it is actually an entirely new and different aircraft. Massive upgrades provide new weapons, avionics, sensors, and “jamming” technology. But it still has sharp teeth, too.
Recently, Growlers shot down Houthi drones aimed at merchant and US Navy ships in the Gulf using AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles.
The Growler and the Super Hornet have more than 90% in common, sharing an airframe, Raytheon AN/APG-79 AESA radar, and weapon systems.
Most of the dedicated airborne electronic attack equipment is mounted on a plate on the wingtips and in the space used to house the internal 20 mm cannon on the Super Hornet.
Nine hard points remain free to provide for additional weapons or jamming pods. The added electronics include AN/ALQ-218 wideband receivers on the wingtips and ALQ-99 high and low-band tactical jamming pods. The ALQ-218, combined with the ALQ-99, form a full spectrum electronic warfare suite that is able to provide detection and jamming against all known surface-to-air threats.
Up to five ALQ-99 jamming pods can be fitted to the EA-18 G, which typically includes two AIM-120 AMRAAM or AGM-88 HARM missiles.
The Navy is going to the Next Gen Jammer System (NGJ). The capabilities of this system are still classified.
The NGJ has a more extended range than the pod it is replacing, but it can also simultaneously jam multiple frequencies and signals. Navy data on the NGJ says the Growler can “degrade, disrupt, or deny” enemy air defense and ground communications.
The US Navy’s EA-18G Growler is a highly advanced, multi-role electronic warfare aircraft that has played a critical role in various military operations. With its advanced EW systems, sensors, and avionics, the EA-18G provides the Navy with an unmatched platform for EW, ISR, and SEAD missions. As modernization and upgrades continue, the Navy’s EA-18G fleet aircraft will likely remain a key component of the country’s military capabilities for at least another decade.
EA-18G Growler: A Story in Pictures
EA-18G. Image: Creative Commons.
EA-18G Growler. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
(June 20, 2018) An EA-18G Growler assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VFA) 141 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)
An EA-18G Growler assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Theodore Roosevelt is underway preparing for future deployments. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)
Royal Australian Air Force aircraft No.6 Squadron (SQN) EA-18G Growler, a No.1 SQN F/A-18F Super Hornet and from No.3 SQN, a F-35A Lightning aircraft, fly alongside a United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron based at Guam, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021. (Photo credit: SGT Andrew Eddie 464SQN AFID-AMB)
EA-18G Growler. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
