image-1 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/1.jpg
title-1 = Departing Darwin
description-1 = A Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler A46-3012 aircraft prepares to depart for an air-sea integration mission, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during the Regional Presence Deployment. (Source: Defence)
status-1 = 1
image-2 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/2.jpg
title-2 = Side-by-side
description-2 = Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft depart for an air-sea integration mission, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during the Regional Presence Deployment. (Source: Defence)
status-2 = 1
image-3 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/3.jpg
title-3 = Maintainers
description-3 = Royal Australian Air Force maintainers from No. 77 Squadron launch F/A-18A Hornets for an air-sea integration mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (Source: Defence)
status-3 = 1
image-4 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/4.jpg
title-4 = Vikings VAQ
description-4 = An EA-18G Growler, assigned to the "Vikings" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, takes off at Naval Air Facility El Centro during a training exercise. VAQ-129 began transitioning and training pilot instructors to fly the Growler to replace the fleet's current carrier-based EA-6B Prowler. (Source: US Navy/Rialyn Rodrigo/Released) (2008)
status-4 = 1
image-5 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/5.jpg
title-5 = Breakaway
description-5 = A US Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to the USS Carl Vinson breaks away from a US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron after conducting in-air refuelling on 3 May 2017, over the western Pacific Ocean. The 909th ARS is an essential component to the mid-air refueling of a multitude of aircraft ranging from fighter jets to cargo planes from different services and nations in the region. (US Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)
status-5 = 1
image-6 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/6.jpg
title-6 = Viking pilot
description-6 = US Air Force Captain Cole Davenport (left), an electronic warfare officer with Fixed Wing Electronic Attack Squadron 129, and Navy Lieutenant Adamantius Kouloumoundras (right), a VAQ-129 EA-18G Growler pilot, prepare for a flight at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, 9 June 2011. Davenport has trained with the Navy for the past 10 months and will work with an expeditionary EA-18G squadron. (US Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Gina Chiaverotti-Paige)
status-6 = 1
image-7 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/7.jpg
title-7 = EA-18G take-off
description-7 = A US Navy Airman from Electronic Attack Squadron 132, prepares an EA-18G Growler for take-off prior to Red Flag 20-3, 31 July. (Source; US DoD)
status-7 = 1
image-8 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/9.jpg
title-8 = Wheels down at Andersen
description-8 = An RAAF EA-18G Growler lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Regional Presence Deployment 2020. In line with Australian government advice, Defence has implemented significant measures to ensure the health and safety of its personnel due to COVID-19. (Source: Defence)
status-8 = 1
image-9 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/10.jpg
title-9 = Formation flight
description-9 = A USAF B1B Lancer flies in formation with an RAAF EA-18G Growler and two F/A-18A Hornets during a sortie for Regional Presence Deployment. (Defence)
status-9 = 1
image-10 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/11.jpg
title-10 = Prep work
description-10 = A maintainer removes static from the canopy of an EA-18G Growler at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Regional Presence Deployment 2020. In line with Australian government advice, Defence has implemented significant measures to ensure the health and safety of its personnel due to COVID-19. (Defence)
status-10 = 1
image-11 = images/Evolution-of-the-EA18-Growler/13.jpg
title-11 = Scenic sortie
description-11 = A No. 6 Squadron maintainer receives advice over the radio as crews prepare to depart in EA-18G Growler A46-302 on a mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. In line with Australian government advice, Defence has implemented significant measures to ensure the health and safety of its personnel due to COVID-19. (Defence)
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Photo essay: Evolution of the EA-18G Growler
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Not just any airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft, the EA-18G is often referred to as the “world’s most advanced” in the AEA class. Operable from both allied aircraft carriers and land bases, it is capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications.
Not just any airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft, the EA-18G is often referred to as the “world’s most advanced” in the AEA class. Operable from both allied aircraft carriers and land bases, it is capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications.
Eleven EA-18G Growlers are currently operated by No. 6 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley and operate in conjunction with Australia's air, land and sea forces. Initial operational capability (IOC) was declared in April 2019.
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Growlers help to reduce the risk to our forces and improve their situational awareness. It can support a wide range of Defence tasks, from peacetime evacuations to major conflicts.
The Growler is based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe, and is fitted with:
- additional avionics;
- enhanced radio frequency receivers;
- an improved communications suite; and
- ALQ radio-frequency jamming pods that enable it to jam enemy systems.
The purchase of the EA-18G Growler includes the aircraft, required mission and support systems, training, and ongoing support to effectively develop and operate a Growler capability.
It will provide a complementary capability to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
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