High-speed networking upgrade helps EA-18G jets share electronic intelligence in real time
Aug. 12, 2013
ST. LOUIS, 12 Aug. 2013. Avionics experts at the Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis have upgraded and demonstrated an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare (EW) jet with a new secure high-speed network and onboard sensors to enable to the carrier-based electronic-attack aircraft to locate threats more quickly and accurately, company officials say.
Navy pilots flew the EA-18G with upgraded sensors and networking last month during the Navy's fleet experimentation campaign at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., to demonstrate the Growler's enhanced capabilities.
"These enhancements provide a significantly faster, more accurate, and adaptable targeting solution for the Navy and allied forces," says Navy Capt. Frank Morley, who manages the EA-18G program. "The result is a more capable EA-18G."
The plan is for the new high-speed network to enable EA-18G aircrews to share targeting data in real time, and enable the aircraft to act not only as an electronic-attack jet, but also as a command-and-control platform.
Boeing avionics experts will install the secure, high-speed network on deployed Growler electronic-attack aircraft in 2018 to enable the EA-18G to share sensor data and other important information in real time with one another, as well as with the Navy E-2D Hawkeye radar surveillance aircraft. Eventually other Navy aircraft also will receive the networking upgrade.
The upgrades will be installed on existing Growlers and will be included as a standard offering for future new aircraft sales. Boeing and the Navy will work closely with supplier partners Northrop Grumman, Harris Corporation, L-3 Communications, and Rockwell Collins to add system upgrades to the fleet.
The Growler is derived from the Navy's F/A-18F Super Hornet jet fighter-bomber, and provides electronic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data to other aircraft. It has been combat deployed since 2010 by U.S. and allied forces around the world.
For more information contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at www.boeing.com/boeing/bds.
