EA-18G Growler

Full Specifications

EA-18G Growler: Navy’s EW Powerhouse

In the high-stakes arena of modern aerial combat, where radar signals and communications can mean the difference between victory and vulnerability, the EA-18G Growler emerges as a silent guardian. This carrier-based electronic warfare (EW) aircraft doesn’t seek direct confrontation; instead, it disrupts enemy defenses from afar, clearing paths for strike packages and protecting allied forces. Derived from the battle-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler transforms a multirole fighter into a precision tool for spectrum dominance, embodying the U.S. Navy’s commitment to technological edge in contested airspace.

Manufactured by Boeing in St. Louis, Missouri, with key contributions from Northrop Grumman for the EW suite, the EA-18G traces its origins to a 2001 U.S. Navy requirement to replace the aging EA-6B Prowler. First flying in 2006, it achieved initial operational capability in 2009 and entered full production shortly after. Its primary purpose is airborne electronic attack (AEA), including radar jamming, communications disruption, and electronic protection for joint forces. The Growler excels in standoff and escort roles, using a full-spectrum EW suite to detect, geolocate, and neutralize threats.

Key capabilities include a top speed of Mach 1.8 (1,030 knots at 40,000 feet), enabling rapid repositioning in dynamic battlespaces. Its combat radius reaches approximately 390 nautical miles for interdiction missions, extendable to 850+ nautical miles with external tanks and optimized loads. Powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans delivering 44,000 pounds of total thrust, it achieves a service ceiling of 50,000 feet. Armament focuses on self-defense and secondary strikes: up to two AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, two AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, and three ALQ-99 tactical jamming pods, with a total external payload of 17,750 pounds across nine hardpoints. Advanced avionics, such as the AN/APG-79 AESA radar and AN/ALQ-218 receivers, provide superior situational awareness, while the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) upgrade enhances mid-band jamming against evolving threats.

Operationally, the Growler has proven indispensable since its combat debut in Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya in 2011, where it enforced no-fly zones by suppressing air defenses. It supported Operations Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, and more recently, Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea, achieving the first air-to-air kill by a Growler against a Houthi drone in 2024. Primarily operated by U.S. Navy squadrons at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island— with one forward-deployed to Japan—and the Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 6 Squadron, it underscores America’s export of cutting-edge EW technology to allies.

EA-18G Growler Price in US

The EA-18G Growler’s unit cost stands at approximately $67 million per aircraft, reflecting its integration of the robust F/A-18F airframe with specialized EW systems like the ALQ-99 pods and ALQ-218 receivers. This pricing accounts for production efficiencies from shared Super Hornet components, which exceed 90% commonality, reducing long-term sustainment expenses. Recent contracts, such as Australia’s 2022 replacement purchase at up to $125 million, highlight inflation and upgrade factors, but U.S. Navy procurements benefit from multi-year deals that stabilize costs around the $67 million baseline. For defense analysts and procurement specialists, this investment yields unmatched return in electromagnetic superiority, with lifecycle support extending operational readiness through 2046.