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-142 "Grey Wolves", then deployed to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, Washington, during 2023. Now in stock!

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

Release Date: May 2024

Historical Account: "Grey Wolves" - Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142) was established on June 1st, 1988, in response to the Navy's requirement for a thirteenth operational EA-6B Prowler squadron. VAQ-142 "Grim Watchdogs" made their first and only deployment with Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW 6) embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59) to the Mediterranean Sea in 1989-90. In fewer than three years as a squadron, VAQ-142 aviators flew aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS Forrestal (CV-59), USS Independence (CV-62), USS Saratoga (CV-60), and USS Midway (CV-41), logging more than 3,600 flight hours and 860 traps. As a result of defense spending reductions, VAQ-142 was disestablished in March 1991 and remaining personnel were transferred to a pre-establishment detachment for VAQ-35. On June 1st, 1991, VAQ-35 was established with the Electronic Warfare Support mission, under the cognizance of Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG). In their brief history, VAQ-35 made over forty-two detachments to more than sixteen locations. In October 1993, due to further spending cuts, VAQ-35 was disestablished, and their mission was absorbed by reserve squadrons based in the East and West Coasts.

In 1994, the Department of Defense sought to replace the Air Force's aging EF-111A Raven fleet and provide a joint service solution with the addition of five new expeditionary EA-6B squadrons. On April 3rd, 1997, the second and current squadron designated VAQ-142 was established as the fourth of these new squadrons, and officially designated the "Gray Wolves". Over the next four years, VAQ-142 forward deployed operationally around the world, participating in numerous multi-national exercises. The squadron saw their first combat deployment in 1998, when they deployed three times to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Southern Watch and Desert Fox, and received both the 1998 Battle "E" and Safety "S" awards as well as the 1999 Association of Old Crows Outstanding Unit Award. From 1999 to 2002, the squadron deployed to Prince Sultan two more times in support of Operation Southern Watch and three times to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch, winning the Safety "S" again in both 2001 and 2002.