The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowlers in service with the United States Navy. The Growler's electronic warfare capability is primarily provided by Northrop Grumman. The EA-18G began production in 2007 and entered operational service with the US Navy in late 2009. Australia has also purchased twelve EA-18Gs, which entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force in 2017.

On November 15th, 2001, Boeing successfully completed an initial flight demonstration of F/A-18F "F-1" fitted with the ALQ-99 electronic warfare system to serve as the EA-18 Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) concept aircraft. In December 2003, the US Navy awarded a development contract for the EA-18G to Boeing. As primary contractor, Boeing was to construct the forward fuselage, wings and perform the final assembly. Northrop Grumman was the principal air frame subcontractor and they would supply the center and aft fuselage as well as the principal electronic combat system. In 2003, the Navy expected to receive 90 EA-18Gs.

The first EA-18G test aircraft entered production on October 22nd, 2004. The first test aircraft, known as EA-1, was rolled out on August 3rd, 2006, before making its maiden flight at St. Louis on August 15th, 2006; it was later ferried to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland on 22 September 2006. EA-1 primarily supports ground testing in the Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility (ACETEF) anechoic chamber.

The second aircraft (EA-2) first flew on November 10th, 2006, and was delivered to NAS Patuxent River on November 29th, 2006. EA-2 is an AEA flight test aircraft, initially flying on Pax River's Atlantic Test Range (ATR) for developmental test of the AEA system before transitioning to the Electronic Combat Range (ECR, or 'Echo Range') in Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California. Both aircraft are assigned to VX-23 "Salty Dogs". EA-1 and EA-2 are F/A-18Fs F-134 and F-135, pulled from the St. Louis production line and modified by Boeing to the EA-18G configuration. However, since they were not built initially as Growlers, the Navy has designated these two test aircraft as NEA-18Gs. There were five Growlers flying in the flight test program as of June 2008

Pictured here is a gorgeous 1:72 scale diecast replica of a US Navy Boeing E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft that was attached to VAQ-140 "Patriots", then embarked upon the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) during 2015. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-1/2-inches
Length: 9-inches

Release Date: March 2024

Historical Account: "Patriots" - Electronic Attack Squadron 140 (VAQ-140) is a US Navy electronic attack squadron. Known as the "Patriots", the squadron operates the EA-18G Growler. The squadron is home ported at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing Seven, and deploy aboard USS Harry S. Truman. The squadron's radio callsign is "Talon". The Patriots are widely regarded as the second best VAQ squadron in the United States Navy, behind the VAQ-132 Scorpions.

In mid-2011, the squadron returned to Aviano Air Base in support of Operation Unified Protector, and NATO operations over Libya. Throughout this deployment, the squadron maintained a 100% sortie completion rate while compiling 164 sorties and 1086 combat hours.

Following their return to NAS Whidbey Island, the squadron embarked on a pre-deployment workup schedule, which saw the squadron conduct a detachment to Naval Air Station Fallon for Airwing Fallon, and three detachments to Dwight D. Eisenhower for TSTA and COMPUTEX. At the conclusion of their workup cycle, the squadron embarked on a six- and a five-month deployment with a two-month break back in Whidbey in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility. These cruises marked the last time the squadron would deploy with the EA-6B Prowler. During 2012, the squadron was awarded the Medical Blue "M", the Safety "S", the Golden Wrench, the Battle "E" and the Radford award.

The squadron completed transition to the EA-18G Growler in July 2014. The squadron deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman from November 2015 to July 2016 conducting combat operation in Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.