EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft - Navy.mil
The first Growler test aircraft went into production in October 2004 and made its first flight in August 2006.
www.navy.milwas seen at 2004 production start, entered production in 2004; first flight occurred in 2006; IOC with the Navy around 2009 timeframe; deployment began in 2010 year; unit cost about $67 million. carries AGM-88 HARM missiles for SEAD, using state-of-the-art jamming pods and AESA-related systems to jam defenses and shield allied forces. Equipped for speeds up to Mach 1.8 and flies at altitudes up to about 50,000 feet, with a typical combat range near 1,275 miles without external fuel. The aircraft remains a twin-engine, carrier-based electronic warfare asset developed from the F/A-18F Super Hornet, designed to jam radar and communications while escorting strike packages. It has an emphasis on defense suppression to enable mission success. Designed to jam, protect, and project electronic attack against integrated air defenses. Price tag cited around $67 million, with deployment starting a decade ago. It integrates AES-related systems to improve battlefield communications suppression. Operational role centers on SEAD while shielding allied strike packages.