Boeing sees export demand for up to 50 Growlers

Flight International ^ | 13/06/08 | Andrew Doyle

[sukhoi-30mki]

Boeing sees export demand for up to 50 Growlers

By Andrew Doyle

Boeing and the US Navy are beginning to evaluate the potential export market for the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.

The first operational example was handed over to the service on 3 June, and its first EA-18G unit is expected to stand up in late fiscal year 2009.

Technology transfer restrictions are likely to limit the number of potential international buyers for the Growler, but Mike Gibbons, Boeing EA-18G programme manager, says the manufacturer forecasts the total export market to be "far less than 100, but 50 in the extreme".

Ted Herman, manager F/A-18 international business development, adds: "It's a market to come, that is just now starting to be addressed by countries."

Boeing says there have been no approaches from interested nations to date, although sole existing F/A-18F Super Hornet export customer Australia is reportedly likely to seek between four and six of the aircraft.

A possible follow-on requirement to its deal for 24 F/A-18Fs is expected to be addressed in a government White Paper due to be published later this year, examining the country's defence needs until 2045.

[sukhoi-30mki]

© Boeing

EA-18G vertical underside

[Ron Jeremy]

Everyone should read the Max Boot book “War Made New”. Very well describes the changes in the balances of power over the history of the world. While the book is too complicated to go into in depth, the reality is that large advantages are typically short lived as opponents on the receiving end of the best tactics and technology quickly adapt.. and this was BEFORE the internet, etc. and our sharing all of our technology with everyone.

[jazusamo]

Another shot of it.

[Yo-Yo]

It needs to be "exported" to the USAF. The USN already said that when the EA-6B is retired, the Navy is out of the Joint Escort Jammer business.

With no EB-52, no EF-111A, and no EA-6B, the USAF is gonna need something.

[Tallguy]

Do the ASEA radars in the new Stealth aircraft (F22, F35) essentially let them act as their own EW aircraft?

[toddlintown]

I’ve got one growler at home. Who needs fifty?

[Yo-Yo]

Do the ASEA radars in the new Stealth aircraft (F22, F35) essentially let them act as their own EW aircraft?

Because AESA radar is made up of hundred of small transmitter/receiver cells, it can focus energy to several different spots simultaneously.

There has been research into using AESA radar as a high powered narrow band data link, as a jamming source, and even possibly a destructive jammer by focusing enough energy to destroy receive equipment.

None of the current applications of AESA in the F-15E, F-16, and F/A-18E/F do this, however. It would probably be of limited use because of the limited frequency bands that AESA operates at. But it could be a simple software upgrade to include some of these features in the future.

[DesScorp]

"With no EB-52, no EF-111A, and no EA-6B, the USAF is gonna need something."

You watch, though. USAF will spend their money on shiny-new F-22's, then demand that SecDef force the Navy to assign their Growlers to USAF detail. I hope whoever SecDef is at the time will tell USAF to shove it. Buy or build your own, within your budget limits.

While we're at it, ask USAF point blank: "I thought all this slick stealth stuff was supposed to make electronic defense suppression obsolete? Hmmmm?".