VAQ-132’s CAG-bird Growler BuNo 166894/’NL540' refuels from a US Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker. The squadron’s EA-18Gs undertook multiple air-refuellings and received up to 50,000 lbs of fuel during some of the missions flown over Libya while operating from Aviano AB in northern Italy.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker / C-135 Stratolifter - СШАUSA - 1956

EA-6B Prowlers currently form part of all but two of the ten carrier battle groups and have been forward-deployed to support all air operations during the past two decades.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman EA-6 Prowler - СШАUSA - 1963

An EA-6B Prowler of Electronic Attack Squadron 209 (VAQ-209) ‘Star Warriors’ taxiing at Souda.
The four-seat EA-6B Prowler uses the ALQ-99 tactical jamming system comprising primary receiving antennas housed in a pod at the top of the tail and jamming antennas in under-wing pods.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman EA-6 Prowler - СШАUSA - 1963

On final approach to NAS Patuxent River, Salty Dog 120, F/A-18F Super Hornet F35 BuNo 165875 is loaded with three ALQ-99 jammer pods, two under wing fuel tanks and two AGM-88 HARM missiles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

Each wing-tip station of the EA-18G is fitted with a pod housing the digital receivers of the AN/ALQ-218 system. This example is a dummy version fitted to an F/A-18F Super Hornet configured as an EA-18G, used by VX-23 for the aeromechanical phase of the Growler’s SDD.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

In July 2004 Naval Air Systems Command dedicated three Super Hornet aircraft to the Growler developmental test programme. All three were modified to represent EA-18G-model aircraft fitted with wing-tip pods and other sub-systems with the same weight, centre of gravity and aerodynamic characteristics.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

Salty Dog 121, F/A-18F Super Hornet BuNo 166449 assigned to VX-23, shown loaded with an AGM-88E AARGM missile (coloured white) during a test flight from NAS Patuxent River, Maryland during the missile's IOT&E.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

Salty Dog 120 taxies into the hot-pit refuelling area at Pax River on October 30, 2006, following a test flight to expand the Growler’s performance envelope.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

The final 12 Super Hornets built for Australia were wired for future conversion to Growler configuration.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

The Growler’s two General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofan engines generate a combined 44,000 lbs of thrust with afterburner.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

As part of the squadron’s work-up for deployment to Iraq in November 2010, VAQ-132 participated in exercise Red Flag 10-4 at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

EA-18G Growler BuNo 166642/'DD500' of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 'Dust Devils', carried an AGM-88E AARGM missile for the first captive-carry flight test on May 25, 2011.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The first system design and development EA-18G Growler aircraft, EA1, arrived at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland on September 22, 2006, a month prior to its scheduled delivery date.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The Next Gen Jammer pod should commence flight operations on the EA-18G Growler in 2015.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The EA-18G Growler needs to overcome threat systems with highly lethal SAMs, and prove highly adaptive in combat conditions.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-141 was deemed ‘safe for flight’ with the EA-18G Growler on February 12, 2010 and made the first carrier deployment with the type in 2011. The squadron flew the first carrier-based EA-18G missions into Iraq as part of Operation New Dawn and the very first EA-18G missions into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during its 2011 maiden cruise.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

A ground crew member from VAQ-132 signals to an EA-18G Growler as it returns from a flight during heavy snow at NAF Misawa, Japan in January 2013.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-135’s current CAG-bird features tail markings similar to those carried by the unit’s EKA-3B Skywarriors in the early 1970s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Sailors utilise a block to discharge the static build-up on a Growler’s canopy at NAF Misawa, Japan.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The first SDD EA-18G Growler aircraft, EA1, spent five months in the anechoic chamber at NAS Patuxent River to assess on-board radar, receiver and jammer compatibility and performance as part of the mission systems test programme.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The ALQ-99 jamming pod’s low-band antennas are housed in a profiled radome while those for the high-band antennas are straight (see image). The Growler will operate with two types of Next Gen Jammer pod, one for high and one for low-band jamming.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The straight profile radome of the ALQ-99's high-band antennas.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Unlike the nose-mounted ram air turbine or RAT fitted to the current ALQ-99 jamming pod, the navy’s next gen jammer will feature an internally-mounted RAT housed in the pod’s mid-section.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center based at NAS Fallon, Nevada has its own EA-18G aircraft assigned for instruction of the Growler Tactics Instructor course.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

An early production series Growler aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower during carrier suitability tests.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-132 Growlers deployed to NAWS China Lake in March 2010 to utilise the threat emitters located on the extensive electronic range.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-132 EA-18G BuNo 166894/’NL540’ lands at Aviano AB, Italy following a mission to Libya during Operation Unified Protector. The aircraft is loaded with two AGM-88 HARM missiles, two AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and two ALQ-99 jamming pods.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-141 EA-18G BuNo 166930/’AJ502’ seconds from catching a wire onboard USS George Bush. The Growler’s maximum landing weight is 48,000 lb.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-135 'Black Ravens' participated in exercise Red Flag 13-3 at Nellis AFB in early March 2013. Red Flag 13-3 was the first large force exercise undertaken by VAQ-135 since it returned from deployment to Bagram AB, Afghanistan.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

A pair of VAQ-132 EA-18Gs line up for take-off from NAS Whidbey Island on a routine training flight over the Okanagan Mountains in eastern Washington state.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

The Growler’s nose wheel steering enables the aircraft to be easily manoeuvred around a carrier flight deck.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

EA-18G Growlers assigned to the Black Ravens over Alaska en route to Eielson AFB for exercise Red Flag Alaska.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-132's CAG-bird Growler BuNo 166894/'NL540' received desert tail markings, side numbers and insignia for the squadron’s 2010-2011 deployment to Iraq and Italy.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-141 's CAG-bird EA-18G BuNo 166928/’AJ500’ on the flight deck of the USS George Bush underway in the Mediterranean Sea on its maiden cruise.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

With 40 Growler aircraft assigned, VAQ-129 uses multiple flight lines at NAS Whidbey Island.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Raytheon’s AN/APG-79 AESA radar is fitted on the EA-18G Growler.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Note the straight radome of this high-band ALQ-99 tactical jamming pod.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

A plane director marshalls a VAQ-141 Growler from parking.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-141's colourful CAG-bird EA-18G BuNo 166928/'AJ500' traps aboard the USS George H W Bush in the Mediterranean Sea.
Since VAQ-141 was established as an EA-6B Prowler squadron in 1989, the unit has participated in every major combat operation since Desert Storm.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

EA-18G Growlers assigned to the Black Ravens over Alaska en route to Eielson AFB for exercise Red Flag Alaska.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Some local training flights flown by the EA-18Gs from NAS Whidbey Island do not require ALQ-99 jamming pods to be carried.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

VAQ-129 ‘Vikings’ is the EA-18G Growler Fleet Replacement Squadron based at NAS Whidbey Island.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

ALQ-99 pods are fitted with a nose-mounted ram air turbine to provide power at cruising airspeed.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

A computer-generated image of a Royal Australian Air Force Growler in the markings of No.6 Squadron, currently a Super Hornet unit based at RAAF Base Amberley.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Major electronic attack systems of the EA-18G Growler shown in orange.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing EA-18G Growler - СШАUSA - 2006

Fourteen EC-130H Compass Call are the only electronic attack aircraft currently in service with the US Air Force.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed EC-130 - СШАUSA - 1976

Salty Dog 101, F/A-18E Super Hornet E22 BuNo 165779 undergoing hot-pit refuelling at NAS Patuxent River. The aircraft was conducting flutter flight-test missions at the time this image was taken.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

Pictured on the ramp at the end of Pax River’s runway 32, prior to a flutter flight-test mission, is Salty Dog 101.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E Super Hornet - СШАUSA - 1995

The AGM-88 HARM missile is one of two kinetic weapons currently carried by the EA-18G Growler (the other is the AIM-120 AMRAAM). This shot shows a HARM missile (coloured white) carried on the port side outer wing pylon of an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) ‘Salty Dogs’ based at NAS Patuxent River.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet - СШАUSA - 1986

ATK's Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) provides the latest and most advanced weapon system for engaging and destroying enemy air defenses and time-critical targets. The Weapon is the Sensor. This is ATK.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet - СШАUSA - 1987