Boeing EA-18G Growler - The Electronic Stinger

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Boeing EA-18G Growler

   Hello everybody. Today, I’d like to introduce and suggest the Boeing EA-18G Growler, an electronic attack variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, in the US Aviation tech tree. EA-18G is designed to replace the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler in service with the US Navy, and the EA-18G is equipped with highly advanced avionics tailored specifically for electronic warfare operations.

   Please note: The implementation of the EA-18G in game would be most feasible if in-game mechanics such as Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and jamming capabilities are already implemented, as these features are integral to the Growler’s functionality.

Key Characteristics

  • Airborne Electronic Attack variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet, retaining most of the critical features
  • 20-mm cannon deleted for the electronic warfare equipment
  • Access to only AIM-120s and AGM-88s or AGM-154 JSOW
  • AN/ALQ-218(V)2 receiver pods and ALQ-99 jamming pods as a central electronic warfare system.
  • Capable of performing SEAD operations.

Conclusion | EA-18G’s place in game

   The EA-18G Growler’s role as an electronic warfare aircraft brings a highly tactical and dynamic element to gameplay in War Thunder. It is not only well-suited for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and strike missions against ground-based threats but also capable of escort jamming and disrupting enemy radar systems while defending itself with AIM-120 missiles. However, the implementation of the EA-18G should definitely wait until it is introduced alongside more modern and powerful anti-air and air-defense platforms. This would preferably create a balanced environment where SEAD and strike emissions become essential to counter these advanced defenses, something that will supplement a new gameplay experience.

Related Suggestion - Aussie EA-18G

https://forum.warthunder.com/t/boeing-ea-18g-growler-the-aussie-growler/207068

Sources

Manufacturers and Official Reports:

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Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃

4 Likes

+1 This needs to come whenever we get electronic warfare.

4 Likes

14 Likes

Haven’t even played the video but know exactly what it is. The trio are just too iconic.
Fits this suggestion perfectly.

3 Likes

I’m surprised It’s got two seats. You don’t usually get in the back…

2 Likes

Moving things aside, will you suggest the trimmed down version offered to the Brazilians?

I cant take something called “growler” seriously

2 Likes

+1, Beautiful. I see Hornets flying around all the time, I need it.

2 Likes

How would EW even be implemented? Like, you press a button and become immune to getting locked on? Or you beam some guy, and they become unable to lock onto anything? I have no idea how EW works in real life, but I’m sure it’s super sophisticated and mostly automated. So, I have no idea how it would be properly implemented semi-realistically and in way that wont be broken

+1 love this jet, heard it at an airshow (was REALLY foggy)

1 Like

Along with J-16D, EA-6B and J-15D pls
I want EW aircraft

1 Like

The E/A-18G is used for two main things, “jam” enemy radars (basically saturate them remotely) and launch AGM-88 anti radiation missiles to destroy said radars. There’s also a few others things it can do (such as saturate enemy communications) but I don’t see how they would be implemented.
So, if implemented the Growler would basically be a SEAD aircraft

1 Like

After careful consideration, the EW part would be extremely unrewarding as the game currently is and effective use of it would require insane teamplay from a community that has to get told not to post classified documents.

3 Likes

Me too, but the EA-6B might be the least enjoyable to use since its primary weapon is limited to AGM-88 HARMs.

I believe electronic warfare (EW) could be implemented in a simple, non-technical way due to the classified nature of its details. Turning on jamming pods, for example, wouldn’t mean complete immunity from radar locks but could prevent certain aircraft or SAM systems from locking onto you within the jammer’s beam zone and up to a fixed distance.

That said, jamming pods like the AN/ALQ-99 come with limitations. They can be overwhelmed when faced with multiple enemy aircraft or SAMs, especially when surrounded. Another limitation is their reliance on a single-frequency band. To put it in layman’s terms, the AN/ALQ-99 can only process and jam radio waves within a specific frequency band, and it can only operate on one band at a time. This is why aircraft like the EA-18G carry multiple jamming pods, with different pods covering high- and low-frequency bands. You see, the EA-18G typically has two pods on its wings operating at high band and one pod on the centerline operating at low band to cover a wider range of radar frequencies.

This means players would need to equip the appropriate pods capable of jamming the specific frequencies used by enemy radars. Otherwise, the jamming pods would be ineffective if faced with radars operating on different frequency bands. Most military aircraft radars operate in the S-band or X-band, both categorized as high band, while low band is often used for communication radios, radio navigation signals, and basic electronics.

The Next Generation Jammer is currently under development to address the limitations of the AN/ALQ-99. It’s expected to cover multiple frequencies within a band and jam multiple radars simultaneously, if I am not incorrect.

One way to implement this way is to jam enemy systems and temporarily remove all markers on their screens in AB and RB. The markers would only reappear when aircraft leave the jammer’s beam zone or enter close proximity. For SB, jamming could obscure the moving map display and overwhelm others in the instrument panel.

Ultimately, implementing EW requires substantial guesswork based on known but incomplete information, as specific performance details remain classified. Gaijin would need to develop a simplified and creative system for EW. At a minimum, the EA-18G should be capable of performing SEAD and firing AGM-88 HARMs if it is added to the game.

1 Like

Yeah but Superhornets can do that too, without the ew the Growler will be nothing more than a Superhornet… It definitely needs ew when it’s added

1 Like

I think that semi-active guided surface-to-air missiles can be interfered with and unable to be guided, and multiple false targets can appear on the search radar at the same time. Just like infrared interference makes it impossible for infrared missiles to produce a locking effect. In air combat mode, the data link of long-range air-to-air missiles can be destroyed to make them enter the inertial navigation mode.

2 Likes

An EA-18G was seen using a rare loadout of four AGM-88E AARGM missiles during an air defense suppression mission in Yemen. Usually, the Growler only carries two AARGM missiles, external fuel tanks, and jamming pods. However, this EA-18G was carrying four AGM-88s under its wings, with three 480-gallon external fuel tanks and two AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

More details:

3 Likes