Two Recently Began Validation With Naval Strike And Air Warfare
Center's Newest Training Department
Two airborne electronic attack aircraft, EA-18G "Growler,"
recently began validation with Naval Strike and Air Warfare
Center's newest training department, the Airborne Electronic Attack
Weapons School (AEAWS) in Fallon, NV, November 12. NSAWC's AEAWS
department will provide training to the fleets electronic attack
squadrons with the techniques, tactics and procedures to ensure
aviation superiority in the electronic attack and air-to-air
arena.
Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy
"NSAWC has been working closely with Naval Air Station, Whidbey
Island, WA, and Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific
(COMVAQWINGPAC) toward the goal of establishing a training center
here in Fallon since 2006," said Cmdr. Peter Fey. "Commander Chris
Bieber spearheaded most of this, but it's really come to fruition
in the past year," said Fey. "Since October 2009, we've had the
instructors show up to start working issues. Now we've got the
airplanes to validate all the work they've done including building
scenarios, flights, simulations and lectures."
Growler training at NSAWC will be similar to the older EA-6B
"Prowler" training program, with emphasis on electronic attack
protection and the inclusion of Top Gun lectures covering the
air-to-air arena. Because it is now at NSAWC, vice Whidbey, the
style of training will be run similar to the Top Gun program.
The Growler is the Navy's replacement aircraft for the Prowler
as it is enters its fourth decade of service. Its many capabilities
include achieving optimum flight speed of Mach 1.8, offensive
electronic jamming, electronic emission detection, monitoring,
classification and electronic suppression of enemy air defenses.
"The Growler is basically an ICAP III Prowler stuffed inside an
FA-18F," said Fey. "Boeing and Northrop Grumman essentially
combined the two proven systems to make this airplane. It has the
same functionality of the latest and greatest Prowler, coupled with
the great airframe provided by the FA-18."
File Photo
Along with its state-of the-art weapons systems, it is highly
economical by retaining 90 percent common parts with the F/A-18/F
Super Hornets and reducing the operating crew size by 50 percent.
"Just the decrease in maintenance will be a huge factor for the
fleet," said Fey
The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center is the center of
excellence for naval aviation training and tactics development in
integrated strike warfare, weapons employment, irregular warfare,
and maritime and overland air superiority.