What Makes the EA-18G Growler the King of Electronic Warfare?

The story of the Growler began in the early 2000s. As the US Navy's EA-6B Prowler fleet, which had been in service since 1971, started showing signs of age and fatigue, a replacement was needed. Thus, the call for a new, more capable electronic attack aircraft was made.
By September 2007, six EA-18G Growlers had been delivered and were undergoing operational testing.
The Growler, based on the proven F/A-18F Super Hornet, was more than just a derivative. It was an evolution.
The cockpit of the Growler is a high-tech space where the pilot and electronic warfare officer work in tandem to operate the aircraft's systems. This aircraft is also fitted with a Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), allowing the pilot to aim sensors and weapons wherever they're looking.
The electronic warfare suite of the Growler is its true power center. Initially, the suite included up to three AN/ALQ-99 radar jamming pods, an AN/ALQ-218(V)2 receiver, and a Raytheon AN/ALQ-227 communications countermeasures set.
The Growler can carry AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for self-defense, and is equipped with an M61A1 20 mm cannon. The aircraft can also carry AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) and the advanced AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), both designed to target enemy radar systems. It can carry a range of smart bombs, including laser-guided bombs and GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and can be equipped with the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
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[@Interestingengineeringofficial]

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[@johnherbold5451]

I don't believe that the EA-18G ("Growler") has a 20mm canon like the Super Hornet does. There's no room for it on the Growler!!

[@katoblow100]

It doesn't. It has no guns whatsoever.

[@KnightOps290]

Was about to get in the comment section and say this. Lol

[@fishnchips5826]

It doesnt, it has a cover for the gun hole to make it slightly more aerodynamic.

[@georgen9755]

cutting off communication was a clever way to turn down faculty return to sender ? whose post . no reply ???? who answered all the inbox posts of my personal email

[@WarGasm0824]

They had to ditch the M-61A1 in favor of electronic warfare equipment. It can fly unescorted because it can carry the AIM-9X high off boresight Sidewinder and AIM-120D AMRAAM Scorpion.

[@brett327]

No AIM-9X on Growler... not yet, anyway.

[@alexandermetcalfe7750]

@@brett327 The Aussies fly with the 9X, interestingly enough, because they paid for the testing. We, however, still do not.

[@liamlogan669]

"We do a microscopic amount of trolling" - EA18 Growler Pilot and Electronic Warfare Officer

[@Edgeverse]

It looks so similar to the F-18. What a beast!

[@nisarullah2969]

Send it to Ukraine if it servy then approved and tested. If it met the same fate as patriot missiles system then toy jet.

[@Edgeverse]

@@nisarullah2969 Perhaps that wouldn't be the best option? Maybe what Ukraine really needs is one of the Eurofighters like the Grippen or the JAAS 39.

[@angusmatheson8906]

​​@@nisarullah2969 🤡 💩 🇷🇺 💩 🤡 lmao wut? Ukraine hasn't lost even a single element of any of its Patriot batteries. Stop listening to Peskov. Idi nahui, Cyka Ruz katsap orc scum. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 🇺🇦 Heroyam Slava!!

[@fishnchips5826]

@@nisarullah2969 the growler have been serving in multiple conflict. What other prove do you need?

[@angrymitch1566]

@@nisarullah2969you mean the patriot system that’s still there and functioning? Congrats you hit one piece of a multi piece air defense system

[@chuckdales5605]

This is one good-looking aircraft!

[@trippleoseven]

Ugly plane imo

[@uteopia]

I agree it's a very good-looking aircraft

[@dougaldouglas8842]

Should do one on the Euro Fighter Typhoon, and what a beast.

[@Interestingengineeringofficial]

Thanks for the recommendation! The Eurofighter Typhoon is definitely a remarkable aircraft known for its impressive capabilities. We'll consider creating a video to highlight its features.

[@dougaldouglas8842]

@@Interestingengineeringofficial Many thanks for kind reply. I only mention this fighter plane as I used to go to air shows, and the most impressive of all aircraft was the Eurofighter. The roar, when taking off, was astounding.

[@aldionsylkaj9654]

@@Interestingengineeringofficial please do!

[@TheRpg1964]

Way too expensive compared to an F-358 if you are outside the overinflated European theatre!

[@user-vq8xw7fh4r]

Extra-outstanding Us. 🦅 Force superiority innovation ! Dale 🦅

[@whalehands4779]

Besides the f35, i think this is the most potent aircraft in the sky. Imagine if the AF did this with the f15ex.

[@moonasha]

seriously, it makes me nervous we don't really have a replacement in the works for the growler.

[@brianjohnson8745]

they deleted the gun, big guy. don't be lazy and leave the video up. someone told you three months ago. you have 1M subs. you're gonna be fine. fly fight win

[@johngodden4363]

Understand Australia has 11 growlers currently. The twelfth caught fire during training exercises. Also believe another five are on order.

[@JimOHalloran]

When the Australian government was looking to buy Super Hornets and Growlers to replace the F-111 and bridge the gap until F-35 deliveries started the plan was to buy 24 F-18F Super Hornets, half of which would be pre-wired for conversion to Growlers in the future. In the end though, all 24 Supers were left as Supers, and the RAAF decided to buy an additional 12 new build Growlers. One of which (311) caught fire on takeoff during a Red Flag exercises in the US and it was replaced by a new aircraft that the US Navy had in storage (313). There are no more growlers on order to the best of my knowledge.

[@josemoreno3334]

Cool.

[@chrismair8161]

The Energy!

[@smeary10]

Flown and operated by only two nations. The US and Australia.

[@alexandermetcalfe7750]

The cockpit layout information at 3:30 was very wrong, the display and caution light layout in either cockpit is nothing like that. Notably, only the EWO has the 8x10, which we like to call "the jumbotron".

[@acupofsoda2443]

Shit that was a hard landing

[@lakedude5961]

I believe the gun is missing on the ea-18

[@Interestingengineeringofficial]

You're right that the EA-18G Growler doesn't feature an integrated gun. This omission is intentional, as its primary focus is on electronic warfare capabilities rather than close-in combat or self-defense.

[@drumsoccer100]

@@Interestingengineeringofficial Then take it out of your description...

[@GrowlerJams]

Please remove my content from this video immediately, or I will file a copyright claim against you. You are using clips from two of my videos without permission.

[@hermanmusimbi4337]

dude, Its transformative. You'd lose the DMCA in a heart beat.

[@speciukas_gaming]

skill issue

[@frostedbutts4340]

stay mad

[@AnTiThesis-HaT-HoT]

Why does UK not have these?

[@chak2822]

The growler and all other jets, ARE STILL BIG, I thought they were tiny, not at all they are big planes still

[@RiMajol8081]

Watching this 02/02/2024. U.S. just launched airstrikes using EA18 Growler to jam enemy radars.

[@Angry.General1461]

It's just an F-18 carrying a heavier load. They should have kept the F-14 in service!

[@moonasha]

this has literally nothing to do with an F-14 it fulfills an entirely different role, an extremely important one I might add.

[@NCmtnDweller]

Americana !!

[@creolespanish34]

So, if these guys had the enemy's COs phone numbers, they could send them personalized gifts, provided they forget to turn off their devices on the battlefield

[@mbmann3892]

:29 That was a hard landing .

[@sidharthcs2110]

That's how the Navy lands

[@alexandermetcalfe7750]

Navy ain't got time to flare. Recongize the city in the background? The casinos are waiting!

[@TheRpg1964]

Did anybody know that Australia also operates the EA-18G? Probably not!

[@johnblaesel5493]

Never heard of the EA-18G Growler.

[@IndiaMikePapa]

You heard it here first!

[@johnblaesel5493]

​@IndiaMikePapa I guess so and I certainly wouldn't want that thing growling at me!

[@annazavarzina6145]

When you hear something you never heard before flying over your head, it could be another time. 🙂 I thought the end of the world happened. I grew right into the pavement. 😁

[@Msit508]

2013

[@Msit508]

You Doffe not help me I can understand all Suppy program😮😢

[@jimclarke1108]

Top secret😁

[@Msit508]

2x more then

[@Msit508]

Electronic (2013)

[@well-blazeredman6187]

I wonder how the capabilities of the Growler compare with what the Israeli Air Force can do.

[@smeary10]

Never underestimate the Israelis.

[@brett327]

Israel doesn’t have a tactical airborne Electronic Attack platform.

[@IndiaMikePapa]

@@brett327they do, the F-35…

[@brett327]

F-35 is not a tactical Jx platform like Growler, though it does have some very limited Jx capabilities. Growler and F-35 work together as a team to achieve the desired effect.@@IndiaMikePapa

[@atlet1]

False! Others have commented at some false claims. Growler is not unique. Russia have similar capabilities. Gripen E have all capabilities of Growler plus M2, supercruise, long range, high agility, high availability, low visibility, GaN tech, spherical action EW, multifunctional stealthy broadband radio link to other airplanes and two other radio links for the rest of the military force. It's a omni role fighter that can do ever mission very good, even in the same flight. Everything is built in, except long wavelength EW pod and RECCE pod.

[@spiff1003]

0:28... Naval aviators can't land (flare) if they tried to! :D

[@novemberzed9163]

EW might have worked against smaller, less developed countries that divided states has terrorized, but it wont work against Russia and China who have their own electronic warfare and jamming means. That's why divided states cant send em to elenski, cause they would be wrecked over there, and they wouldnt be able to pick up the pieces of them.

[@smeary10]

Not sure about that. That's not why they're not sent into the Ukraine. The US or Australia (the only two countries that have Growlers) can't be seen sending such technology into that theater of war. Especially as only US and Aussie aircrew can ever operate them due to the years of training required.

[@novemberzed9163]

@@smeary10 They wont send em because they would get wrecked. Regardless of who pilots them. Survivability would be very low.

[@CherryColaWizard]

Any nation that has electronic equipment is vulnerable to EW, included China and Russia. What makes you think they can't also be jammed?

[@smeary10]

you never send Growlers in alone so that's a moot point. @@novemberzed9163

[@verdebusterAP]

How about no Russia's EW is geting picked apart in Ukraine, more the point, Russia's lack of EW is why they are getting their asses handed to them One of the tricks that US developed with EA-6B and EA-18G is the ability to track radio sources in real time By positioning aircraft at key points, they can locate targets by emission and track them in real time if Russia had that capability, HIMARS would have been destroy with in a matter of weeks Yet its been nearly 2 years and not one lost More the point, If Russia had that capability, they would easily picked apart the equipment sent by the west yet we are two years into it and nada

[@brett327]

So much bad info in this video. Growler doesn’t have a gun, nor can it carry any AIM-9 variant.

[@HappyTime-nb6of]

only united states and australia have these. . :)

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

Wait, the plane has a range of 975 miles and a max speed of 1600 miles per hour? So at cruising speed it can loiter for an hour? Wtf? Has to be a mistake

[@kacpertokarz8268]

Sounds about right, on full afterburner at max speed a fighter jet will burn through all it's fuel in like 10 minutes. Cruising they typically only get a couple hours without adding external fuel tanks.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

@@kacpertokarz8268 thats with external tanks

[@kacpertokarz8268]

​@@AnonymousAlcoholic772oh if that's with external tanks then that seems incorrect, I would imagine it would be over double that.

[@AnonymousAlcoholic772]

@@kacpertokarz8268 ya cant be right.

[@SuperEdge67]

Its max speed is Mach 1.6 not 1600 mph. Mach 1 is the speed of sound. The speed of sound is much much slower than 1000 miles per hour.

[@touchofgrey5372]

It's hard to believe that in this day and age there is still someone who does not know the correct pronunciation of MACH! It's Mock 1.. as in Mockingbird!

[@AndrewLambert-wi8et]

Russia is king of electronic warfare. Proven on several occasions. Next is France. I could be wrong in both cases.

[@aliciadurant2883]

T’abuse un peu… on a aucun équivalent en france

[@AchwaqKhalid]

Genuinely curious to know why you mentioned France 🤔 Never heard of any EW system coming from there

[@GroundZeroTactical]

🤣

[@mejestic124]

They don't even have high end electronic manufacturing capability so how would they be in the top game?

[@g-money1723]

You are wrong. Lol

[@SuperiorAmericanGuy]

Give Ukraine some of those types of jets to counter those sukhoi terror jets of evil soviet Russia.

[@mikedavis199]

Ukraine does not need, nor do they deserve these. Most of the jamming capabilities of these are still classified. Why would we give them to an army that barely even has an airforce? They'd get shot down because they don't know how to fly them

[@SuperiorAmericanGuy]

Would you recommend giving Ukraine other weapons then?

[@mikedavis199]

@@SuperiorAmericanGuy Nope. It's not our war to fight. I'm tired of seeing handouts to that country when the gear we CURRENTLY field is all half broken. 7 Years in the Marine Corps and I can count on one hand the number of "New" items I got issued at CIF. Why are we giving them our best when we aren't even getting it?

[@SuperiorAmericanGuy]

Ukraine didn’t attack first Russia did. Those Soviets want to rebuild the Soviet Union by exterminating Ukraine and america plus those commies made illegal terror weapons: T-14, Kirov, that Russian carrier of theirs, typhoons, Akulas and Su-57 terror jets.

[@gabriel-kn1bl]

​@@mikedavis199So the US soldiers won't have the need to fight the Russians is Ukraine can destroy most of them.

[@motorcyclematthew5741]

Fake news 😂

[@interesting5638]

The growler is no joke it’s proven to be more powerful than the German/Italian Tornado ECR

[@eseetoh]

Really no gun? Then it's truly wasted to use this platform for EW when it has no close-in self defense ability. Better to use a non combatant platform instead.

[@Interestingengineeringofficial]

The EA-18G Growler is specifically designed for electronic warfare, focusing on disrupting enemy radar and communications systems rather than close-in self-defense. Its role as an electronic warfare platform maximizes its effectiveness in that domain.

[@LoudestHoward]

It has AMRAAMs to defend itself, the gun is gone because it's got more electronics in the nose.

[@eseetoh]

@@LoudestHoward now that makes sense.

[@philduoos2961]

@@Interestingengineeringofficial I was just reading about the earlier version - the Prowler. No Prowler had ever been shot down in its 30+ years of service (with no guns).

[@drumsoccer100]

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

[@edwardcook2973]

Still not as good as the Prowler.