The EA-18G Growler jet, a sophisticated electronic warfare platform and a variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, is no stranger to danger. Designed to replace the EA-6B Prowler and standing as the first new electronic warfare aircraft in over 35 years, the Growler combines the Super Hornet platform with an advanced electronic warfare suite to perform a wide range of enemy defense suppression missions. Despite its significant role and intended advancements over its predecessors, it shares a notable risk profile with its closely related models—a heightened crash rate due to high speeds and the increased turbulence from jamming pods.
Recent analysis indicates that Growler jets, alongside F/A-18 Hornet variants, have experienced crash rates that are 10 to 36 times greater than the older Prowler jets over the past 35 years. This alarming statistic is primarily attributed to the Growler’s much greater speed, nearly double that of the Prowler’s, along with its powerful engines and less aerodynamically shaped design which contributes to more turbulence. The jets achieve speeds of up to 1200 miles per hour, making them extremely difficult to control and significantly more likely to crash into residential neighborhoods or wilderness areas, potentially causing devastating fires.
Despite the risks, the importance of the Growler to the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) remains undiminished. Both operators are in the midst of upgrading their fleets to maintain operational excellence and extend the service life of their aircraft. The U.S. Navy’s Service Life Extension Program and the RAAF’s Project AIR 5349 Phase 6 – Advanced Growler aim to enhance the EA-18G’s capabilities, with improvements such as the incorporation of the Next-Generation Jammer system to replace the AN/ALQ-99, sensor upgrades, and extended anti-radiation missile range.
The enhancements also include the upgrade of the aircraft’s subsystems, like the APG-79 radar, AN/ALQ-99 jammer, and integration of the Advanced Cockpit System and Advanced Capability Mission Computer. This suite of upgrades is critical for the Growler’s missions and is expected to keep it flying well into the 2040s. Additionally, Mercury Mission Systems has been contracted to supply data transfer units and high-definition video recorders for the EA-18Gs, with completion anticipated by 2024.
The extensive commonality between the F/A-18E/F and the EA-18G allows for considerable flexibility in the platform, which is being leveraged to ensure these aircraft continue to serve as cornerstones of electronic warfare for their respective air forces. The investment into their longevity and capability expansion reflects the critical nature of their missions, despite the concerns raised by their historical crash rates.
The cost for maintaining such a capable yet risk-prone fleet is substantial. The U.S. Navy procured a total of 160 EA-18Gs between 2006 and 2016, with the last seven aircraft costing $563.1 million. Meanwhile, the RAAF, which received 12 EA-18Gs as part of Lot 38 in 2014-15 and lost one to an engine fire in 2018, recently replaced the lost jet with a new aircraft delivered in March 2023 for an estimated cost of $125 million.
Relevant articles:
– 3.2 Growler Jets 36 Times more likely to Crash than Prowler Jets, washingtonenvironmentalprotectioncoalition.org
– Insight: How will the US Navy keep its EA-18G Growler EW aircraft flying until 2046?, shephardmedia.com
– McDonnell Douglas F-18, aircraftrecognitionguide.com
This article is 100% not based on fact and parrots talking points from environmentalists who are opposed to the EA-18Gs being in Whidbey Island Washington rather than factual aircraft mishap rates/data. How would I know, well I am a US Navy Test Pilot and have over 1,000 hours in this particular airplane alone. Not one single operational EA-18G has been lost to a crash. In addition this aircraft flies immensely smoother than the EA-6B Prowler (which would start to shake at higher speeds), and the EA-18G is NOT AFFECTED in any negative way, especially from a stability or control standpoint, by any stores/jamming pods. In addition, the Prowler was much less aerodynamic than the F-18/EA-18G. Finally, one version of this article mentioned a transonic wing drop problem with the F-18 and made the false assumption that this problem persisted onto the EA-18G; however, the EA-18G wing was redesigned from the original Super Hornet design which results in an extremely smooth and well flying aircraft. Please retract this article or fix nearly everything about it as it is false for all of the above stated reasons.