Submitted by: Submitted by xemakon
Views: 206
Words: 308
Pages: 2
Category: Other Topics
Date Submitted: 10/18/2011 07:27 AM
During the near-nonstop TV coverage of operations in Libya, an interesting first was broadcast. The EA-18G Growler, the U.S. Navy's new electronic warfare aircraft, could be seen making its combat debut. This modified and upgraded F/A-18E is equipped with some of the most powerful jammers in the inventory and has been given partial credit for the fact that no coalition aircraft were downed or damaged by hostile fire during the first few days of Operation Odyssey Dawn. The Growler is the follow-on to the EA-6B Prowler, which has been protecting aircraft from harm for decades. Vice Adm. Bill Gortney verified for the media, including Wired, that EA-18Gs were used and were successful.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughhead explained in an article in DefenseTech.org that the jammers were deployed from al Asad Air Base in Iraq, where they had been temporarily assigned, to Aviano Air Base in Italy. When the need arose, Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-132 was retasked and flying missions over Libya within 48 hours, the CNO was quoted as saying.
The EA-18G will replace the EA-6B, a proven warhorse that became a must-have asset for any ground attack combat mission. The EA-6Bs have a record of success and have been through steady upgrades and enhancements to their electronic warfare kit ever since this writer worked with them during Red Flag missions over the Nevada Test and Training Range decades ago. The Growler replacement is proving itself extremely capable, but planned new jamming gear will make the Growlers even more valuable in the future. One key enhancement will be the Next GenerationJammer currently being developed. Not only will the new assets be able to suppress ground threats, but they will eventually become key assets in the cyberwar arena as well.