EA-18G Growler

Boeing has been awarded a contract by the F/A-18 and EA-18G Programme Office (PMA-265) to produce and deliver 44 F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft over the next two years.

The latest contract will allow the US Navy to acquire the remaining aircraft included in the programme of record by the end of the fiscal year 2016, as well as 12 EA-18Gs for the Royal Australian Air Force, which were requested in July 2013.

PMA-265 programme manager captain Frank Morley said that F/A-18 and EA-18G jets are the predominant tactical force for both the US Navy and Marine Corps.

"The navy’s long-range strike fighter procurement strategy is to have a mix of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F-35 Lightning IIs by the early-2020s," Morley said.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

"We will operate F/A-18 E/F and F-35 aircraft together from our aircraft carriers through the 2030s."

"F/A-18 and EA-18G jets are the predominant tactical force for both the US Navy and Marine Corps."

Designed to serve as the US Navy’s all-weather premier fighter / attack aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet supports air superiority, day / night strikes with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close-air support, suppression of enemy air defences, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward-air control and tanker missions.

Based on the combat-proven two-seat F/A-18 Hornet, EA-18G Growler jets can operate from either an aircraft carrier or land bases.

Developed to replace the navy’s ageing EA-6B Prowler aircraft, which entered service in 1971, Growlers can support missions such as electronic attack (EA) and suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), mainly at the beginning and ongoing early stages of combat.


Image: A US Navy Boeing EA-18G Growler of the test and evaluation squadron VX-3. Photo: courtesy of the US Navy, photo by Cmdr. Ian C. Anderson, USN.

Defence Technology