Role Electronic warfare aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 15 August 2006
Introduction 22 September 2009
Status In service
Primary users United States Navy
Royal Australian Air Force
Produced 2004–present
Number built 172 as of October 2021
Developed from Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet
The Growler's flight performance is similar to that of the F/A-18E/F. This attribute enables the Growler to perform escort jamming as well as the traditional standoff jamming mission (Radar jamming and deception). Growlers are able to accompany F/A-18s during all phases of an attack mission.[26] In order to give the Growler more stable flight for the electronic warfare mission, Boeing changed the leading edge fairings and wing fold hinge fairings, and added wing fences and aileron "tripper strips"
The Growler has more than 90% in common with the standard Super Hornet, sharing airframe, Raytheon AN/APG-79 AESA radar and weapon systems such as the AN/AYK-22 stores management system. Most of the dedicated airborne electronic attack equipment is mounted on a plate in the space that used to house the internal 20 mm cannon and on the wingtips. Nine weapons stations remain free to provide for additional weapons or jamming pods.[28] The added electronics include AN/ALQ-218 wideband receivers on the wingtips and ALQ-99 high and low-band tactical jamming pods. The ALQ-218 combined with the ALQ-99 form a full spectrum electronic warfare suite that is able to provide detection and jamming against all known surface-to-air threats. However, the current pods may be inadequate against emerging threatsCeiling
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The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft.
The Growler's flight performance is similar to that of the F/A-18E/F.
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