ARINC Helps U.S. Navy Unleash the EA-18G Growler in Skies over Patuxent River

May 1, 2007

Annapolis, Maryland—The next generation of U.S. Navy electronic warfare aircraft—the Boeing EA-18G Growler—is on course to begin its planned deployment starting in 2009 after completing its first live test—an airborne electronic attack mission.

A team of electronic warfare (EW) specialists from ARINC Engineering Services, LLC, played a key role in evaluating the Growler’s EW systems during the January test. A simulated threat emitter was successfully detected, identified, and located by the Growler’s ALQ-218 Tactical Jamming Receiver, and subsequently jammed by the aircraft's ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System. The test took place on the Atlantic Test Range near the Naval Air Warfare Center, Patuxent River, MD.

For this first live Growler jamming mission, ARINC’s operationally experienced EW professionals used their fleet and T&E backgrounds to assist in evaluating the Growler’s EW systems. ARINC and its subcontractor Porter Technical developed test procedures, drafted the flight cards, and directed the flight test for the government. The ARINC team has been an essential part of testing airborne electronic attack systems at Patuxent River for more than a decade. 

Electronic surveillance and radar jamming are critical today in support of air warfare. The Growler’s predecessor, the EA-6B Prowler, is currently used in most U.S. air combat operations, and Navy, Marine, and Air Force squadrons are flying the Prowler in support of combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The plane’s primary mission is to support strike aircraft and ground troops by interrupting enemy electronic activity and obtaining tactical electronic information within a combat area. The new EA-18G Growler aircraft is expected to perform full-spectrum electronic surveillance and attack of enemy threat radars and communications nets.

ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,200 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Release: 07-74

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