Boeing Flies EA-18G Wingtip and Jamming Pods for First Time
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ST. LOUIS, June 12, 2006 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] EA-18G program test team reached a key milestone May 30 when it flew a modified F/A-18F equipped with wingtip antenna and high- and low-band jamming pods for the first time. The flight was part of ongoing flying qualities and carrier suitability testing to validate the EA-18G's shipboard effectiveness. The EA-18G Growler is a derivative of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, that has been flying from carriers since 1997.
The three-month carrier suitability tests, flown by U.S. Navy pilots, include catapult launches and cable arrestments from test facilities at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Initial tests will measure aircraft loads to verify that the landing gear and airframe meet design specifications. The tests also will monitor the catapult and arrestment systems to assess if the Growler settings are accurate.
"These tests are a big milestone for the EA-18G program," said Mike Gibbons, Boeing EA-18G program manager. "We know the Super Hornet airframe works well in challenging at-sea conditions. Now we're verifying that the EA-18G, with potentially greater bringback for fuel and weapons capacity, will work just as well."
Over 25 flights, the carrier suitability tests will measure how well the Growler performs in a variety of takeoff and landing situations, including high sink, free flight engagement, on- and off-center catapults and arrestments. The EA-18G testing will allow for higher landing weights than the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to provide greater flexibility in the return of high-value jamming pods plus other weapons and stores.
Boeing, acting as the weapon system integrator and prime contractor, leads the EA-18G Growler industry team. Northrop Grumman is the principal subcontractor and airborne electronic attack subsystem integrator. The Hornet Industry Team will divide EA-18G production across Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Raytheon manufacturing facilities. The System Design and Development program concludes with an Initial Operational Capability in 2009. Naval Air Systems Command PMA-265 is the U.S. Navy acquisition office for the EA-18G.
http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q2/060612b_nr.html -
Ahh.. the EA-6B replacement is coming soon eh. I wonder will the USAF use the growlers too... They never liked using Navy Aircraft, but had to borrow navy EA-6 prowlers cos they stupidly retired all the EF-111s.
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Does the RSAF have dedicated EW planes? Any of the older aircraft being converted for this purpose? Thanks
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Why did they retire the Ravens? I remember it was still being used in the first Gulf War.Originally posted by Shotgun:Ahh.. the EA-6B replacement is coming soon eh. I wonder will the USAF use the growlers too... They never liked using Navy Aircraft, but had to borrow navy EA-6 prowlers cos they stupidly retired all the EF-111s. -
latest blk of viper have some limited EW capabilityOriginally posted by tankee1981:Does the RSAF have dedicated EW planes? Any of the older aircraft being converted for this purpose? Thanks -
The RSAF have limited a/c. Might not be feasible to have dedicated EW a/c.Originally posted by duotiga83:latest blk of viper have some limited EW capability
Also the air defence of the surrounding region is pretty weak. -
Since we still have many old A-4 aircraft, maybe we can outfit them to be dedicated EW aircraft like what the other countries are doing. Old aircraft are often converted to become dedicated EW aircraft.
Since the air defence in our region is not strong we don't need that many of such EW aircraft, just a handful will do. Can use this as an opportunity to gain experience in intergrating new equipment to old retired aircraft. -
My thinking is that the A4 Skyhawk cannot be used because their hardpoints isn't rated to carry the 'looks to be heavy' jamming pod and 'unknown EW system'.
But F-16 are definitely tough enough to carry them. It seems to me that the Growler carries 3 jamming pods and wingtip antenna in addition to the baseline F/A-18F, perhaps with more EW modules inserted within the aircraft structure.
I wonder if maybe USAF can modified the F-16 to become a dedicated jamming aircraft since the 3 jamming pods and wingtip antenna can be placed on the F-16 in similar configuration, sacrificing 2 fuel tank and gaining 2 outer most hardpoint on the F-16 for either 2 sidewinder or AMRAAM. -
1 of our c-130 is reported 2 have being converted in2 a SIGINT patform n 1 of our F-50 reportedly has limited EINT capability
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F50 yes i heard of it but not C130.....Originally posted by spartan6:1 of our c-130 is reported 2 have being converted in2 a SIGINT patform n 1 of our F-50 reportedly has limited EINT capability -
Im surprised many had heard of e C-130 but not many had heard of e F-50
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Actually both C-130 and the F50 have been converted into ELINT platforms in RSAF. But this is a bit off topic as ELINT is not the same as EW. ELINT is more like electronic intelligence gathering.
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EW cover SIGLINT, ELINT, defence suppression. E C-130 is a SIGLINT plaform not ELINT
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So what if C-130 and Fokker50 did possess SIGINT, ELINT capability. From what I heard, their capability are weak. They are not mission specific aircraft like what US have with their EP-3 and EC-135.
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Originally posted by tankee1981:Actually both C-130 and the F50 have been converted into ELINT platforms in RSAF. But this is a bit off topic as ELINT is not the same as EW. ELINT is more like electronic intelligence gathering.
SIGINT and ELINT are forms of intelligent-gathering. EW is the broader form which covers anything to do with electronics. In this case, the EW in F/A-18 is more towards SEAD.Originally posted by spartan6:EW cover SIGLINT, ELINT, defence suppression. E C-130 is a SIGLINT plaform not ELINT -
The Ravens have been retired? When? My goodness, that means RAAF F-111C are the last of their kind!Originally posted by Shotgun:Ahh.. the EA-6B replacement is coming soon eh. I wonder will the USAF use the growlers too... They never liked using Navy Aircraft, but had to borrow navy EA-6 prowlers cos they stupidly retired all the EF-111s. -
I believe General Dynamics back then modified an F-16 to wild weasel standards, full with AGM-88, shrike and Standard ARM, dunno if operational or not.Originally posted by kelong70:My thinking is that the A4 Skyhawk cannot be used because their hardpoints isn't rated to carry the 'looks to be heavy' jamming pod and 'unknown EW system'.
But F-16 are definitely tough enough to carry them. It seems to me that the Growler carries 3 jamming pods and wingtip antenna in addition to the baseline F/A-18F, perhaps with more EW modules inserted within the aircraft structure.
I wonder if maybe USAF can modified the F-16 to become a dedicated jamming aircraft since the 3 jamming pods and wingtip antenna can be placed on the F-16 in similar configuration, sacrificing 2 fuel tank and gaining 2 outer most hardpoint on the F-16 for either 2 sidewinder or AMRAAM. -
unofficail term as F-16Cj/Dj for SEAD/DEAD role, replacement for F-4G wild Weasel.....Originally posted by SBS3625D:I believe General Dynamics back then modified an F-16 to wild weasel standards, full with AGM-88, shrike and Standard ARM, dunno if operational or not. -
Originally posted by duotiga83:I believe General Dynamics back then modified an F-16 to wild weasel standards, full with AGM-88, shrike and Standard ARM, dunno if operational or not.
It's true that F-16CJ / DJ is replacement for F-4G. But then, they dun carry the jamming pod like those carried by E/A-18G. Dunnoe if our F-16D Blk-52+ have the capability to jam enemy's radar.Originally posted by duotiga83:unofficail term as F-16Cj/Dj for SEAD/DEAD role, replacement for F-4G wild Weasel..... -
EA-18G is meant to replace EA-6B mah......Originally posted by kelong70:It's true that F-16CJ / DJ is replacement for F-4G. But then, they dun carry the jamming pod like those carried by E/A-18G. Dunnoe if our F-16D Blk-52+ have the capability to jam enemy's radar.
in electronic countermeasure roles.... -
Tat i think is a question not 1 of us is able 2 or can answer on sg.forum. Quiff
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Yes, the Growler is supposed to replace the Prowler. Yeap, the Sparkvarks are out, and the aussie vaarks are the last of their species.
SIGINT is the erm, "super" type. Under it falls 3 categories, ELINT (Electronic Intelligence), FISINT (Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence) and COMINT (Communications Intelligence).
As for Jamming Pods, I'm guessing sooner or later all these dedicated jamming aircraft will also be replaced by UAVs. If its light enuff to be mounted on the wings of an aircraft, it can probably be made to fly.