Defense Technology International - October 2007 - (Page 42) ATTACK ELECTRONIC PROWL ON U.S. Marines look to a new future with high-tech EA-6B BILL SWEETMAN•LONDON already flown are heavily instrumented and will be retained as test assets. Twelve aircraft have been ordered under lowrate initial production contracts and another 18 should be ordered in FY2009. A full-rate production decision is due next year. During 2009, two squadrons—an operational unit and VAQ-129, the Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS)—will transition to the Growler. Initial operational capability is set for 2009, once the first operational squadron has transitioned and the FRS is capable of supporting it. The Growler is expected to deploy operationally in 2010. By that time, deliveries will be proceeding quickly, and Overstreet says the Navy should have 10 fiveaircraft squadrons operational by 2013. The Navy seeks to exploit new features of the Growler. One important change is the introduction of EDO Corp.’s Interference Cancellation System (Incans). On the Prowler, “when you radiate, you lose communications,” Overstreet notes, “and your IFF goes away.” On exercises, the Navy uses procedures and warnings to protect the Prowler, “but the younger pilots still shoot it down.” Incans uses active-cancellation technology that allows the EA-18G to transmit and receive. The EA-18G also retains the Super Hornet’s Raytheon APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar. (Overstreet describes the very old APS-130 radar on the Prowler as “almost completely useless.”) It has been stated that the APG-79 has uses both as a sensitive and directionally accurate receiver and as a high-power jammer within the X-band, where it operates. Raytheon has experimented with it as a broadband communications link. In the initial EA-18G configuration, there is limited, if any, integration between the radar and the ALQ-218(V)2 sensor system, but that is expected to change with software upgrades. Other planned improvements include the ability to geolocate low-frequency communications emitters and improvements to aircraft survivability. The Navy expects the EA-18G “to be more tactical, www.aviationweek.com/dti U.S. NAVY CONCEPT s the U.S. Navy moves forward with development of the Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack (EA) version of the Super Hornet fighter, the Marine Corps is preparing a plan to continue operations of the EA-6B Prowler, possibly beyond 2020. Navy Growler Program Manager Capt. Paul Overstreet says that the Marines expect to move at least 30 EA-6Bs from their base at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington to MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina as they are replaced by Growlers. At an IQPC Defense conference in London, Overstreet said the Marines are “working on their own EA architecture” and will use the Prowler until 2015. Industry observers, however, tell DTI that the Marines may operate the Prowler until 2024. Although the longserving jets—some built 35 years ago— are reaching the end of their life span in terms of carrier landings, they could serve much longer from land bases. The Marines plan to conduct a service-life assessment program on the Prowler fleet, selecting and repairing the best aircraft for continued operations. The ICAP III (Improved Capability) version of the EA-6B is new, having achieved initial operational capability in 2005, and a version of its Northrop Grumman ALQ-218 receiver system is in 42 A The EA-18G Growler’s NextGeneration Jammer pods will replace speed-limited ALQ-99s. the EA-18G. The ICAP III features new processors and cockpit displays, and the EA-6B retains some advantages over the Growler—including space for three tactical operators, greater endurance and the ability to carry five jamming pods. The Marines expect to equip the Prowler with a new advanced jamming pod, technology for which is being developed under the Navy’s Next-Generation Airborne EA (NGAEA) program. The Marines plan to mount the same new pods on a future standard of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. While the service considered a dedicated EA-35 version of the aircraft, it was abandoned as too costly, and a simpler solution blending the jamming pod with the F-35’s standard EW system is being considered. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has apparently been working on a jamming pod that would be compatible with a stealth platform. Both the Prowler and a future F-35-based EA platform would operate with UAV-mounted jammers. Meanwhile, Overstreet reports, the Growler continues on track. The Navy accepted the first production Growlers in late September; the two prototypes DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2007 http://www.aviationweek.com/dti
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