The story of the Growler began in the early 2000s. As the US Navy's EA-6B Prowler fleet, which had been in service since 1971, started showing signs of age and fatigue, a replacement was needed. Thus, the call for a new, more capable electronic attack aircraft was made.
By September 2007, six EA-18G Growlers had been delivered and were undergoing operational testing.
The Growler, based on the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet, was more than just a derivative. It was an evolution.
The cockpit of the Growler is a high-tech space where the pilot and electronic warfare officer work in tandem to operate the aircraft's systems. This aircraft is also fitted with a Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), allowing the pilot to aim sensors and weapons wherever they're looking.
The electronic warfare suite of the Growler is its true power center. Initially, the suite included up to three AN/ALQ-99 radar jamming pods, an AN/ALQ-218(V)2 receiver, and a Raytheon AN/ALQ-227 communications countermeasures set.
The Growler can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for self-defense, and is equipped with an M61A1 20 mm cannon. The aircraft can also carry AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) and the advanced AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), both designed to target enemy radar systems. It can carry a range of smart bombs, including laser-guided bombs and GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and can be equipped with the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
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