EA-18 Squadrons
Abstract
The EA-18G Growler is the primary Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) platform supporting the Joint Force and the sole tactical AEA aircraft in the DoD inventory. The Growler is an asymmetric force multiplier that increases the survivability and lethality of the Joint Force within a non-permissive environment, while enabling all-domain superiority for the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS). The centrality of EMS dominance to the CNO's Maritime Strategy further necessitates EA-18G modernization as a strategic pursuit to secure EMS superiority for the Navy's Carrier Strike and Joint Expeditionary operations. Due to the rapid advancements of the adversary's capabilities, the EA-18G will be called upon in future engagements to operate at increased ranges from the threat which far exceed the current capability to effectively deliver kinetic and non-kinetic effects. The Growler Block II is a foundational spiral upgrade that will implement the incremental and innovative capability improvements required for Naval Aviation to regain and sustain an advantage in the EMS until the EA-18G is replaced. The onboard sensors of the EA-18G, namely the ALQ-218, require improved sensitivity and processing to detect, identify, and locate advanced complex threats at longer ranges. The ALQ-218 Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Enhancement (ASE) is a combination hardware/software upgrade that provides incremental capability improvement and enables the transition to Growler Block II Phase I. An Electronic Attack Unit (EAU) upgrade, coupled with the Reactive Electronic Attack Measures (REAM) capability greatly enhances the EA-18G's ability to autonomously process and respond to unknown signals in an extremely dense EMS environment. The Global Lightning (GL) capability brings an improved aperture and upgraded Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT-X) that allows for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication via satellite constellations. This added BLOS capability will provide the long-range situational awareness the EA-18G needs to provide critical targeting and threat warning. An accelerated GL capability on Growler is planned to test and field in FY25 which will also serve as risk reduction for the final GL solution. The accelerated GL capability will have targeted limited high priority capability and will include the improved aperture and a modified Joint Tactical Terminal - Receive (JTT-R+). Capabilities of the EA-18G weapon system and ancillary equipment can be upgraded to accommodate and incorporate new or enhanced weapons as well as advances in technology to respond effectively to emerging and future threats. EA-18G "Flight Plan" spiral capability development is critical to the baseline of the EA-18G next generation mission system capability and to maintaining tactical relevance in support of the Air Wing of the Future. Development continues for design and integration of avionics systems, integration of Jamming Techniques Optimization (JATO) improvements, evolutionary software upgrades via Software Configuration Set (SCS) block builds and Agile software development, as well as related testing. Through FY2028, EA-18G Growler efforts will focus on developing quality components, with concurrent recurring modification; continuing advanced development engineering; and improving reliability and maintainability. These collective efforts will enhance availability of critical assets to the fleet and maximize lifetime total cost of ownership benefits.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 0604269N_5_1319_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- Technical: Not Applicable Cost: FY25 reduction of $21.475M due to a programmatic decrease ($20.690M) and miscellaneous adjustments ($0.785M). Schedule: FY25 and out schedule updated due to the F/A-18 System Configuration Set (SCS) transitioning from a H-Build software model that delivered a major release every two years to a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) that will deliver smaller releases more frequently as part of Continuous Integration, Delivery & Deployment (CID&D). Under CID&D, the previous SCS H-builds have been combined into a common baseline that provides release opportunities when capabilities are ready. The F/A-18E/F and EA-18G schedules reflect two release opportunities per Fiscal Year (FY); this is a notional schedule only as the program is not tied to two releases a year, and will determine when to release based on requirements and software readiness. Under CID&D the program will deliver capability to the warfighter with relevance and more quickly than the waterfall construct of H-builds allowed.
- Service Agency Name
- Navy
Entities
Organizations
- United States Navy
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