Systems Integration Underway for US Navy Growler

After passing two readiness reviews conducted by the US Navy, Boeing (St. Louis, MO) can now begin integrating several key mission systems into the EA-18G Growler electronic-attack aircraft.

The EA-18 program passed two test-readiness reviews (TRRs), the first in November 2005 and another in January 2006, which examined software for the Growler's electronic-attack system, interference-blanking unit, AN/ALE-47 chaff/flare dispenser, mission-planning system and mission computer, stores-management system, instrumentation, and digital memory device (for a complete overview of the EA-18G and its mission systems, see "The Hornet's Sting"). Having passed these two reviews, Boeing can now move forward with the integration of those systems and prepare to install them on the first flight-test aircraft, which is scheduled to take to the air for its first flight this fall.

Before that first flight takes place, however, the program still faces two more reviews. In late spring, the Navy will conduct a third TRR, which, according to a Boeing spokeswoman, will include the software for the two critical components of the Growler's electronic-attack mission package: AN/ALQ-218(V) receiver system and the AN/ALQ-99 jamming pod. This will be followed by a build-readiness review in the summer, which, assuming it goes well, will give the green light for integration of all of the aforementioned mission systems on the aircraft to pave the way for this fall's flight testing.

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