NextGen Radar Jammer Replaces EA-6B

More jamming capability equals more protection for soldiers in harm's way. That's the word from Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, that this week unveiled its first next-generation electronic attack aircraft for the US Navy -- the EA-18G Growler.

The two-seat aircraft -- based on the increasingly ubiquitous F/A-18 fighter -- comes equipped with a slew of radar tracking and jamming pods affixed to underwing hardpoints. It also includes an Airborne Electronic Attack system, to detect an enemy's electronic radar energy and signal strength... and then shut it off.

The EA-18G is slated to replace the Navy's aging fleet of four-seat, 30-year-old EA-6B Prowler aircraft.

"This rollout comes none too soon," said Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations. "As we speak the Growler's predecessor, the EA-6B Prowlers (below) are themselves flying vital missions over Iraq and Afghanistan and they need to be replaced as soon as possible."

That will come in 2009, when the first Growlers join the Navy fleet. The Associated Press reports that eventually, the Navy will have a fleet of 90 such Growlers, as part of a $9 billion project.

The aircraft will be assembled at the Boeing IDS facility in St. Louis, MO... and will be based at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.

"I was committed to make sure that they have the very best possible equipment that they can get," said Missouri Representative Todd Akin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, on the unveiling. "Today for me is a little bit like Christmas time."

FMI: www.boeing.com