Navy gets 1st Growler, enemy radar operators mess their pants

The US Naval Fleet received it's first EA-18G Growler aircraft today at a ceremony at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington. While the Navy had been testing the Growler in recent years, this aircraft will be the first to gain operational capability now that it has joined the U.S. Navy's Electronic Attack Squadron, (VAQ) 129. The Vikings of VAQ 129 have been operating the Growler's predecessor, the EA-6B Prowler, since 1971 with the Fleet Readiness Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, which is home port for all airborne electronic attack aircraft in the Navy.

So what's so great about the Growler (other than a sweet name)? This next-gen aircraft leans on the airframe of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet to build the world's most capable airborne electronic attack aircraft with the equipment, advanced weapons, sensors and communications to totally obliterate enemy air defenses. The team of Boeing and Northrop Grumman have done a fabulous job creating this next great electronic attack system. The Vikings of VAQ 129 should be getting the first 5 fleet Growlers, which I'm looking forward to seeing on the deck of a carrier ready to strike around the world. Some poor soul manning an air defense scope is going to regret painting this bad boy with radar. Of course, it will all be over before he knows it.

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