EA-18G Growler recommended for fleet introduction
UNITED STATES - 31 JULY 2009
The findings of the EA-18G Growler's initial operational test and evaluation were released by the Department of Defense Wednesday.
The aircraft received the rating of operationally effective, operationally suitable and was recommended for fleet introduction.
The evaluation of Navy's testing community, under the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Forces, determined that the EA-18G is able to effectively perform the intended operational mission and is also found to be suitable. The suitability evaluation focuses on maintainability, reliability and many support aspects with the intention of validating that the system under test will be available when needed.
"We consider the EA-18G program to be a 'model' in terms of executing better than planned," said Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 & EA-18G program manager, PMA-265. "A critical reason why the Growler remained on cost and on schedule while exceeding the performance required was the aggressive management of risk and requirements."
Combining the latest capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with modern Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) systems and weapons, the next generation in airborne electronic attack, EA-18G Growler, continues to be delivered on cost and ahead of schedule.
"The Navy's acquisition strategy of integrating the already proven EA-6B Improved Capability III (ICAP III) AEA suite with the Block 2 F/A-18F Super Hornet means the EA-18G was able to demonstrate the inherent reliability and maintainability that the fleet currently enjoys with the Super Hornet and the exceptional operational capability of the ICAP III AEA System," Darrah said. "This robust integration of these two mature weapon systems will ensure that the U.S. Navy will continue to provide world class tactical AEA capability well into the future."
Software anomalies were discovered during the IOT&E process, and the Integrated Product Team is actively engaged in developing a software update release that will be used for verification of and correction of deficiencies (VCD) development period, which is currently scheduled to start later this year.
Consistent with the Super Hornet, the EA-18G Growler was designed for spiral development. Software updates that address existing anomalies were designed into the plan from the beginning of the program.
"The professionalism, communication practices and processes established between the program office, industry, developmental test, operational test and the fleet throughout this program have been essential to it's successes and should serve as a model of Integrated Test and Evaluation (IT&E) practices for future endeavors," said Darrah.
Source: US Naval Air Systems Command
---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 PM ----------
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet.
EA-18G Capabilities
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses: The EA-18G will counter enemy air defenses using both reactive and pre-emptive jamming techniques.
Stand-off and Escort Jamming: The EA-18G will be highly effective in the traditional stand-off jamming mission, but with the speed and agility of a Super Hornet, it will also be effective in the escort role.
Non-Traditional Electronic Attack: Dramatically enhanced situational awareness and uninterrupted communications will enable the EA-18G to achieve a higher degree of integration with ground operations than has been previously achievable.
Self-protect and Time-Critical Strike Support: With its Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, digital data links and air-to-air missiles, the EA-18G will have self-protection capability and will also be effective for target identification and prosecution.
Growth: High commonality with the F/A-18E/F, nine available weapon stations and modern avionics enable cost-effective synergistic growth for both aircraft, setting the stage for continuous capability enhancement.
Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Capabilities:
Full Spectrum: The EA-18G's ALQ-218 wideband receiver combined with the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System will be effective against any radar-guided surface-to-air threat.
Precision Airborne Electronic Attack: Selective-reactive technology enables the EA-18G to rapidly sense and locate threats with a significantly higher degree of accuracy than was previously possible. This improved accuracy enables greater concentration of energy against threats.
Advanced Communication Countermeasures: Its modular ALQ-227 Communication Countermeasure Set enables the EA-18G to counter a wide range of communication systems and is readily adaptable to an ever-changing threat spectrum.
Interference Cancellation System (INCANS): INCANS dramatically enhances aircrew situational awareness by enabling uninterrupted communications during jamming operations. (Boeing)
U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler
UNITED STATES - 31 JULY 2009
The findings of the EA-18G Growler's initial operational test and evaluation were released by the Department of Defense Wednesday.
The aircraft received the rating of operationally effective, operationally suitable and was recommended for fleet introduction.
The evaluation of Navy's testing community, under the Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Forces, determined that the EA-18G is able to effectively perform the intended operational mission and is also found to be suitable. The suitability evaluation focuses on maintainability, reliability and many support aspects with the intention of validating that the system under test will be available when needed.
"We consider the EA-18G program to be a 'model' in terms of executing better than planned," said Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 & EA-18G program manager, PMA-265. "A critical reason why the Growler remained on cost and on schedule while exceeding the performance required was the aggressive management of risk and requirements."
Combining the latest capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with modern Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) systems and weapons, the next generation in airborne electronic attack, EA-18G Growler, continues to be delivered on cost and ahead of schedule.
"The Navy's acquisition strategy of integrating the already proven EA-6B Improved Capability III (ICAP III) AEA suite with the Block 2 F/A-18F Super Hornet means the EA-18G was able to demonstrate the inherent reliability and maintainability that the fleet currently enjoys with the Super Hornet and the exceptional operational capability of the ICAP III AEA System," Darrah said. "This robust integration of these two mature weapon systems will ensure that the U.S. Navy will continue to provide world class tactical AEA capability well into the future."
Software anomalies were discovered during the IOT&E process, and the Integrated Product Team is actively engaged in developing a software update release that will be used for verification of and correction of deficiencies (VCD) development period, which is currently scheduled to start later this year.
Consistent with the Super Hornet, the EA-18G Growler was designed for spiral development. Software updates that address existing anomalies were designed into the plan from the beginning of the program.
"The professionalism, communication practices and processes established between the program office, industry, developmental test, operational test and the fleet throughout this program have been essential to it's successes and should serve as a model of Integrated Test and Evaluation (IT&E) practices for future endeavors," said Darrah.
Source: US Naval Air Systems Command
---------- Post added at 01:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 PM ----------
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet.
EA-18G Capabilities
Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses: The EA-18G will counter enemy air defenses using both reactive and pre-emptive jamming techniques.
Stand-off and Escort Jamming: The EA-18G will be highly effective in the traditional stand-off jamming mission, but with the speed and agility of a Super Hornet, it will also be effective in the escort role.
Non-Traditional Electronic Attack: Dramatically enhanced situational awareness and uninterrupted communications will enable the EA-18G to achieve a higher degree of integration with ground operations than has been previously achievable.
Self-protect and Time-Critical Strike Support: With its Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, digital data links and air-to-air missiles, the EA-18G will have self-protection capability and will also be effective for target identification and prosecution.
Growth: High commonality with the F/A-18E/F, nine available weapon stations and modern avionics enable cost-effective synergistic growth for both aircraft, setting the stage for continuous capability enhancement.
Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Capabilities:
Full Spectrum: The EA-18G's ALQ-218 wideband receiver combined with the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System will be effective against any radar-guided surface-to-air threat.
Precision Airborne Electronic Attack: Selective-reactive technology enables the EA-18G to rapidly sense and locate threats with a significantly higher degree of accuracy than was previously possible. This improved accuracy enables greater concentration of energy against threats.
Advanced Communication Countermeasures: Its modular ALQ-227 Communication Countermeasure Set enables the EA-18G to counter a wide range of communication systems and is readily adaptable to an ever-changing threat spectrum.
Interference Cancellation System (INCANS): INCANS dramatically enhances aircrew situational awareness by enabling uninterrupted communications during jamming operations. (Boeing)
U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler
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