THE GROWLER

Boeing’s electronic attack weapon

- TED CARLSON

Unarguably, the EA-6B Prowler has been a solid performer in its niche role of Electronic Attack (EA) over the years. The aging Prowler was tired, it now has been put out to pasture, and its replacement has made its debut in the form of the Boeing EA-18G Growler. It looks a bit like the F/A18F Super Hornet on steroids, with unique wingtip pods that house secretive electronic gear. The primary role of the EA-18G is much different than that of a traditional Super Hornet, however. The Growler is contemporary, more reliable, and more capable than its predecessor. However, one cannot tell the Growler story without also bringing the successful Prowler to light and looking at where the EA-18G’s roots evolved.

The EA-18G

Based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, the EA-18G has roughly 80 percent in common with the F-model Super Hornet with Northrup Grumman’s integrated mission electronics packages. The notable external differences include special wingtip pods, the addition of various fuselage and spine antennas, wing fences, and a different wing leading edge. EA-18Gs are all two-place aircraft, consisting of a pilot and back seat Naval Flight Officer, known as an Electronics Warfare Officer (EWO). The majority of the senior EWOs came from the Prowler communities since they are both seasoned and there has been an excess of ECMOs (Electronic Countermeasure Officers) within Prowler units during the aircraft transition. Pilots came from both the EA-6B and Super Hornet communities.