RAAF Growler Nearing Initial Operational Capability

09 Juli 2018

RAAF EA-18G Growler (photo : Joshua Ruppert)

The Royal Australian Air Force’s EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack (AEA) capability is rapidly maturing, with an initial operational capability (IOC) expected in the coming months.

The RAAF is only the second operator of arguably the world’s most advanced AEA capability, after the US Navy. While there may be more powerful jammer systems mounted on larger converted passenger or military transport aircraft, the ability for a Growler to be embedded within a combat aircraft package and escort it “downtown” is arguably its greatest strength, giving the EA-18G a versatility no other AEA capability can match.

The ADF had long coveted a high‑end AEA capability, but there were few options available to it until the Growler was developed. Elta EL/L-8222 electronic countermeasures (ECM) pods, which provided a high level of self-defence capability, were acquired initially for the F-111C and later for the F/A-18A/B classic Hornet.

A high-end passive signals intelligence (SIGINT) package was also integrated with at least two AP-3C Orions and was reportedly palletised for use on a couple of C-130H airframes under Project Peacemate in the late 1990s. But neither Peacemate nor the “8222” pod have active or real-time force-level capabilities.

“As operations for the last 20 years have shown, most recently in Libya, the ability to conduct both active and passive EW operations, incorporating roles such as electronic attack, suppression of enemy air defences, force protection, enemy order of battle analysis, and kill chain analysis – is critical,” the Sir Richard Williams Foundation argued in January 2012.

See full article Australian Aviation