From 10,000 feet, the EA-18G looks remarkably like its cousin, the F/A-18F. But this member of the Hornet family has a different kind of stinger that can render the enemy blind and deaf. The "G," as it's called, will perform the critical airborne electronic attack (AEA) mission for the Navy's tactical aircraft fleet, jamming enemy radars and communications to allow fighter and attack aircraft like the Super Hornet to fly into enemy air space virtually undetected.

"The EA-18G will take the airborne electronic attack mission to the next level," says Capt. Mark Darrah, Naval Air Systems Command Deputy Program Manager for the EA-18G program. "It will incorporate the Electronic Attack subsystem upgrades we have already made and continue to develop for the EA-6B (the Navy's current AEA platform), and combine those advances with the proven value of the F/A-18F air frame, bringing a capability to the fleet that we have never seen before."

The "G," based on the battle-proven F/A-18F airframe, will accomplish its AEA mission using a variety of radar jammers and communications systems, some of which are currently on or being developed for the EA-6B Prowler. It is slated to replace the Prowler beginning in 2009. The aircraft will incorporate the new EA-6B Improved Capability III, or ICAP III, electronics system currently in development, as well as ALQ-99 jammer pods, like those currently in use on the Prowler. But because of advancements in computers and other advantages the airframe brings, it will be able to do more with less. The "G" only requires one pilot and one electronic countermeasures officer, or ECMO, to accomplish the same mission as an EA-6B with one pilot and three ECMOs. Boeing's two crew concept was developed and then validated with the assistance of over 500 fleet aviators, including EA-6B ECMOs, who flew in Boeing's EA-18G simulator in St. Louis for several years prior to program initiation. Aircrew comments and suggestions were used to refine and update the EA-18G's crew vehicle interface design.

Both the Prowler and the "G" are capable of carrying up to five ALQ-99 jammer pods. It also will carry ALQ-218 receiver pods on its wingtips, thus replacing two of the F/A-18F's 11 weapons stations with permanent antenna pods. The ALQ-218 is part of an advanced electronics suite built by Northrop Grumman Electronic Warfare Systems in Bethpage, New York. The suite also includes a receiver and electronic attack unit in the gun bay of the aircraft, where the F/A-18F currently carries a 20mm cannon. The radar for the aircraft will be the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, built by Raytheon of El Segundo, Calif. The AESA radar will provide unprecedented detection capability against both airborne and ground targets. A key to the efficiency of the EA-18G is the "decoupled" aft cockpit, which allows the ECMO to independently control the aircraft sensors and weapons. Advanced mission computers and displays, including High Order Language, coupled with an 8x10 display, a Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability and two side console-mounted Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick controllers will enable the ECMO simultaneously to operate both the aircraft sensors and employ its weapons systems.

The Super Hornet's nine remaining weapon stations will allow the "G" to deploy its jammer pods in addition to both the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile and the AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile and its follow-on, the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile.

This sophisticated weapons suite is carried on the F/A-18F airframe built by Boeing and Northrop Grumman of El Segundo, Calif., and powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines which produce a combined 44,000 pounds of thrust. This will allow the "G" to fly considerably faster than its predecessor, giving battle commanders greater flexibility in deploying airborne assets. One of the greatest advantages the "G" has is that it is essentially an F/A-18F. When production starts on these aircraft, they will be produced on the same production line, at the same time as F/A-18Es and F/A-18Fs. The program will be able to take advantage of the same tooling, manufacturing practices and expert workforce that has enabled Boeing to deliver Super Hornets on or ahead of schedule, on or below budget, and with unprecedented quality.

The program is already reaping benefits. Under the current SDD (System Development and Demonstration) contract, Boeing will produce two aircraft for flight testing. When the first bulkhead was loaded into tooling at Boeing facilities during a ceremony in St. Louis Oct. 22, the program was already ahead of schedule and 10 percent below budget and the aircraft was 200 lbs. underweight - an achievement Boeing IDS President Jim Albaugh called "unheard of. It's a real tribute to the integrated team."