The US Navy's Secret Weapon: EA-18 Growler
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- čas přidán 20. 02. 2022
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Boeing EA-18G Growler:
Today the single most powerful military force in the world is the US Navy’s carrier strike group, which is capable of performing many missions including strike, maritime and air superiority, along with power projection. Because of its prominent role on the world stage, adversaries are continuously looking for ways to disable or deter a carrier. As a result, a carrier is always escorted by ships designed to protect it, from destroyers to cruisers, and the occasional submarine. All of these units work in conjunction with each other to form a defensive network to protect the carrier. Yet there is another critical component to this network that often gets overlooked: the EA-18g Growler. The Growler not only provides defensive and reconnaissance data to the carrier strike group, it also provides escort jamming to strike aircraft to and from a target. In many ways the Growler is at the tip of the spear and the defender of the fleet, while also being able to provide its own offensive capabilities as well. Built on the combat proven Super Hornet Airframe, today we will take a look at the development of the Growler, the aircraft it replaced the Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler, its operational history, what roles it plays today and some potential future aviation
capabilities.
This video features electronic warfare systems by Northrop Grumman and the Boeing EA-18G Growler Vaq-140. RAAF aircraft are also discussed
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Your video is beautiful.
Sir, did you know that while the FA-18 series for sure work fine in California, in Finland we detected micro-fractures in the wings. The extremely low temperature became a problem. It manifests itself in the very near of the fuselage, at the root of from where the wings start.
It happens only at very low temperatures, as said. But the phenomenon is potentially lethal to the pilot. Hence these fighter aircraft are flown very gently in Finnish airspace 🙂
And then, the fleet of the American aircraft has served us beautifully. Sure there will be a mechanical issue eventually. That is way overdue. I know that we cannot repair these. We need new fighter jets from the United States of America. We love them a lot, baby. Sure they get old, eventually. We try to keep them in the sky as long as we can.
They are so beautiful.
I have an urge for Magic Spoon. Why it is not available in Finland at all 🙂
Unfair
I’m a former Prowler maintainer, and I honestly deeply love those old clunky fuckers despite myself. That’s not ever going to change… nostalgia is a helluva thing. With that said, the Growler really is a massive improvement in just about every conceivable aspect. I mean, if nothing else the commonality with the existing Hornet fleet & advancements / improvements / streamlining in maintenance processes & accessibility is something I have to acknowledge as a tech. As magnificent a platform as the Prowler was, keeping them airborne & mission-capable was a *massive* pain, and dealing with things such as failures / damage to equipment that was literally irreplaceable because it hadn’t been manufactured in decades meant guys like me often had to spend an entire weekend rebuilding something. Not to mention things like how that mid-century tech used a lot of toxic or otherwise dangerous materials and processes that are even now likely not entirely well-understood. I mean there was one shop in AVI where all the folks working there ended up having daughters. Coincidence? Yeah, probably - but the solvents, sealants, and various forms of energy these systems radiated are going to affect the human body, you know? The newer stuff is not only a lot easier to get to & repair, it’s a lot less dangerous because those kinds of risks are better understood and actually considered during design & implementation.
Besides all that though, just consider how far electronics & signals technology has advanced in the time between the development of the Prowler to that of the Growler. Like, many parts of the Prowler were using frankly ancient, in some cases through-hole discrete component design boards, whereas the Growler uses micro-level multilayered boards with full support for integrated circuits. It’s a quantum leap in both performance and scale. For the layperson, think of the difference between telephones of the Prowler era and those of the Growler’s. There’s just no comparison.
The Prowler guarded the skies in support of our aircraft for decades, now it’s the Growler’s turn, and I think we’re in good hands.
Prowlers were ungodly loud.
Quit your bitching...squid boy
Another advancement was the reduction in crew needed …. From 3 operators to just one….
I like that Prowlers look like a pissed off bumble bee that turns into a warplane in an old cartoon.
Not saying that something toxic didn't cause all those men to only have daughters, but probability theory easily accounts for such anomalies. Let's say the odds of any child being born a girl is exactly 1/2, then the odds of 2 daughters in a row is 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4. The odds of 3 is 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/8. Now lets say a group of 10 men between them have 20 children, and all are girls, the chance of that is (1/2)^20, or roughly 1 in a million. So lets say we have 10 million groups of 10 men, with each group having 20 children, then the odds of at least one of those groups having all daughters is very high.
This is a common phenomena of probability. Events that occur with extremely high frequency, will regularly produce some extremely low probability outcomes.
It's like lotto. The odds of you winning it are ridiculously low. However, there are a ridiculously high number of tickets sold, so quite regularly, some lucky bastard wins.
The design of the F-18 has paid off. The versatility is way high, who knows what other uses could be around the corner. Awesome video Juan.
Thank you Juan!
It's incredible that the Growler can trace its development all the way back to the Northrop T-38 Talon and F-5 Freedom Fighter.
@@MothMizzle indeed! I've done a video on the F-5 but still need to do one on the T-38. Thanks for commenting!
@@MothMizzle Evolved from a Northrop design and now sold by Northrop-Grumman's direct competitor, Boeing.
@@mikedelta1441 I thought Boeing bought Northrop?
I'm a Vietnam veteran and I am completely blown away with our Navy's weapon capabilities
Thank you for your service, must have been rough
I always love the fact that the second largest air force on Earth is the United States Navy!! 😂
These things are no joke, I’ve been working on growlers for years and I’m still blown away.
we appreciate your service you Vietnam vets are legend's. You guys should have had a WW2 type of parade. My Grandfather was a Vietnam veteran. we can't even begin to imagine what you guys lived through for this country.
Welcome home David.
Great Video. I served in the US Navy in the late 70's, early 80's working on the EA-6B Prowlers assigned to VAQ-138. Our jets were very capable back then, and great assets to the strike group. I can see where today's technology has surpassed the 'old stuff'. The Growler airframe is truly a great asset today as the Prowler was back then. Hats off to the maintainers of today for carrying forward our tradition.
Thank you for your service!
Rampage
Current maintainer with VAQ-140 myself!
@@carson3201 thank you for your ongoing service - individuals like yourself putting the work to keep these birds in the air are the role models I encourage my children to emulate.
VAQ-134 vet here… did 4 deployments with them. Fun times!
This is the kind of plane that secretly wins wars. These planes won't just do SEAD, but they'll disrupt an enemy's entire communication network. Without communication, you cease to be a cohesive fighting force. The countries that buy these and deploy them are brilliant.
It’s a great system and even has some Air Force WSO’s operating the back seat. But, in the SEAD/DEAD role the F16CJ teams do a better job. Simplified, the Navy approaches the raid area and when they get a RADAR spike they launch waves of HARMs in the area. This creates a bubble in which the strike package can operate & then quickly egress. The Navy has limited time and resources so they generally must drop their ordnance on target or have to ditch it to be able to safely land. So if they get the enemy RADAR to turn off they consider it a kill, regardless of the site being struck.
By contrast, the Air Force Wild Weasels prefer DEAD over SEAD. They will still use the HARM but will use it to give themselves a bubble in which they can get close to the site and use Mavericks or bombs (they really liked cluster munitions before all that changed) and would try to obliterate the target. By contrast to the Navy, if an AF pilot is for whatever reason unable to drop, he/she can RTB with a full load and not jettison millions of dollars into the ocean unnecessarily.
The Growler is great, but it’s better for the jamming role than the SEAD/DEAD just because of how the branches differ in use.
@@soonerfrac4611 You are partially right.
There are USAF WSOs that do USN EWO tours, both as TDYs, or as an orders-attached squadron mate with the exped squadrons deployed overseas. And yes, the F-16CJs do the SEAD role much better, using kinetics to take out emitter sites, but one of the reasons they've taken on more of that role is that they can only fire HARMs. The USN now only fires AARGMs (pronounced arrr-gum).
The other stuff you talked about ... such as dropping ordnance on target, or having to ditch, isn't true. A Growler (Grizzly = at the boat callsign) doesn't have to dump it's AARGMs when it comes back to the boat. Nor does the strike group have to dump their entire ordnance load into the drink. They might have to lose one or two munitions, but that's why they have 'sel-jett' and then they can dump to max trap weight to get back aboard.
You are absolutely right! A lot of people don’t realize this and think it’s all about going Mach 10, I swear. It’s nice to see people who actually understand what the military/ Navy really is.
Are you saying the Hornet/growlers don’t contain bring back capabilities? You are sorely mistaken.
Apparently, this plane is why the Chinese couldn't locate Pelosi when she was visiting Taiwan
Of course it will. Teamed up with F 35’s and block 111 Super hornets, our navy is as lethal as it’s ever been. Coming from a naval family, I’m extremely proud of our navy and not afraid to say that it’s the best in the world and it’s not even close.
I love seeing the Super Hornets, Growlers and now F35's flying over the Gold Coast into RAAF base in Amberley.
I used to get the same thing on my farm in NZ when we were flying the skyhawks...... miss those days....
As someone in the growler community, this video is pretty spot on and very well done.
Thank you, Chris! That is the best praise I can receive on a video - and thank you for your service!
Seems capable for sure, but surprised these capabilities are focused on the super hornet fuselage type and not the F35's.
@Chris Novak, are you one of the dudes buzzing directly over my house at 500ft AGL in the eastern Wa foothills training zone (from NAS Whidbey)? If so, more please! Had four of them rattle the bones out of me yesterday. Love it. A pilot friend of mine showed me the flight map. My house is uniquely located in between two ridges under the flight path. I love to watch and hear these glory birds come down and then scream up the ridge behind my house. (Much of the time they're over my house before I even hear them coming.) I've had almost twenty years of free air shows while living here. If I'm lucky enough to be outside and they're flyin' low and slow ...I get a wing-nod. One time I got a double wing-nod. Made my day. Pretty sure the pilots laughed at the crazy woman jumping up and down and fist-pumping like Yosemite Sam. I've taken a few flying lessons recently...love aviation and the art and science of flight, but I am terrified of being up in the air and making a mistake, so I thank you for your skill and dedication. I couldn't hack it.
I had no idea about this aircraft. Way more capability than I had thought, glad I was out voted on this one! Great job on the video, I learned a lot. Due to the quality of the production on this video, 50k might not be far off! Excellent work, cheers.
Thank you Ben, much appreciated. I learn from each video I research and produce and am always happy to hear that I passed on some of that to my viewers.
It’s a great system but not as good as the F-16CJ. At least in SEAD mission.
Boeing hated the name Growler...because of the connection to Northrop-Grunman's EA-6 Prowler. Fortunately the US Navy stuck with the name the sailors gave her!
@@soonerfrac4611 How many ALQ-99 pods can a Viper carry?
@@soonerfrac4611 CJs (now CM) can't provide Electronic Attack. What they do is just one piece of the SEAD puzzle.
Zapper here.
When people talk about the Super Hornet, they don’t know about this variant.
Got that Zapper Pride for being in the oldest EA squadron. ^^
Vaq 138 Veteran here. Worked on em for 4 years right after the transition from the EA6B Prowler
My dad was an NFO in the EA-6B, specifically as the XO and then CO of VAQ-134 based out of Whidbey. He kept in touch with a lot of his Prowler buddies even after we moved to Germany for his next set of orders, and he kept me appraised of this plane. He was always super excited about it, telling me how it was a combination of his plane and a Hornet, and how it would open up so many possibilities for our entire military. This video is giving me the same excited vibes he always gave me when he talked about the stuff he heard from his buddies, and for that, I thank you!
I find "The Growler" hilarious as a name for a plane, because in Tasmania, where I grew up, "growler" was a euphemism for female genetalia - as in "Show us ya growler!" yelled out of car windows at young women by drunken young hoons...
@@benjaminodonnell258 Now I know how to pick up women in Tasmania
I seem to remember that a Growler won some sort of 'Top Gun" type air combat demonstration a few years back. A very capable platform - a miracle for Boeing.
btw - It's crazy just how hard those Hornets/Growlers land, even on land-based runways.
The Blue Angels have to re-learn a 'soft' landing. When they first start training they hit the deck like on a carrier.
@@notthatdonald1385 that's absurd... and false.
@@notthatdonald1385 that makes sense as they no longer hit full throttle like a carrier landing
Hahah! Look up how the Air Force lands vs how the Navy lands. They know they have the gear to do it and that’s how they are use to landing the n carriers
F-22 fighters and EA-18 together dominate the sky and they are unstoppable. It is truly a secret weapon. I am glad US military has this gem.
We Australians are your best buddies. We've served in just about every war with you. No wonder you shared this with us,
I was assigned to the VAQ-132 in Whidbey Island. I remember doing inventory on those Crash Packets which consisted of paperwork for an emergency landing and one credit card. I remember going through 544's packet many times.
I'm actually quite surprised it took so long for those in charge, to phase out the Prowler, and get super Hornets kitted out to take over the electronic warfare role. The Prowler has been around for a long time. And the fact a Hornet can attack and defend itself, is a no-brainer, in my opinion.
Much like the 1911 pistol or the M4 rifle, the Prowler was an air platform that forgot to become obsolete. It provided a service that nobody really knew how vital it would be, and yes, even though the Prowler had no way of defending itself, I doubt those assigned to escort and support it minded all that much.
That being said, the Growler is pretty damn cool.
I love how you’re getting sponsorships now; indicative that your channel is deservedly growing! Hahaha love the little references your dropped. “5th gen cereal, battle of the bulge, the right stuff…” But my favorite line is “0 grams of sugar, so you could avoid the danger zone..” LOL nice.
Thank you, Dan much appreciated! Thanks for being a subscriber for so long and I always enjoy your comments - glad you got the references :)
I just discovered your channel and wow its awesome!! This was alot of great info! And my favorite things you do over other military channels is that a person is actually talking NOT some computer generated commentary where you only understand half of the content and the fact that you give us info throughout the whole video where others talk for only half of the video and the rest is just watching military footage which is nice but id rather hear more info which is why i tuned in!!! GREAT JOB!!
Thank you! I can' t produce videos as quickly as other channels since I have to record my voice and edit (it doubles the production time) but I am glad you appreciate it.
Saw a growler demo team this May in NY, never saw them before and they have quickly become my favorite plane after the Raptor. This is a bad ass plane.
Those Growler pilots are true heroes of our defense of our Naval assets. God bless them.
very proud and thankful that the US trust us Aussies so much to be able to operate a squadron these
Aussie always been trust worthy for her friends, she is important for her friends especially for USA. Love from USA
Not sure how much of a secret the Growlers are. We in Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada hear them frequently around 10:00 -10:30 PM coming from Whidbey Island and growling their way north above Victoria. I love that low, rough sound.
I’m in port Angeles. See and hear them all day long. Pretty cool
*THE NEW GROWLER IS A GREAT DEFENSIVE WEAPON AND IS WORTH OF MUCH PRAISE!!*
It's gonna be sad when all the F/A-18s are retired and we can't call carriers hornet nests anymore. "Lightning" just doesn't have the same feel.
F-35 needs a punchy nickname that's not "fat amy"
@@appa609 They should bring back "Banshee". F-35s are ghosts, anyway. It fits.
Maybe call the carriers thunderclouds or storm cells? I kind of like the Lightning name, especially as a tribute to the P-38.
I live on Camano Island. Right next to Whidbey Island where Growlers are based at NAS Whidbey. I do landscaping and see these guys flying around daily. Love every minute of it! 🇺🇸
What do I think? As long as the EA-18G is the only platform to have high Probability of Intercept (POI) under "Look-Through" operations, enemy aircraft won't know what hit them and USN, USMC and RAAF SEAD missions will plow through enemy air defenses like a steel moldboard plow. That's what I think.
"A 5th generation cereal"
That is probably the best description of any product on a channel about avionics. You have me sold.
The growler was a beautiful idea that came together perfectly. Every running back needs a lead blocker.
The F-18 is perhaps the most versatile of the teen series aircraft able to do an unbelievable amount of jobs
There amazing, im so happy Australia has 12 of these 🇦🇺
Back in the early 80s at NAS Alameda, I climbed into the cockpit of an EA-6B Prowler to check out the instrumentation and electronics and the shop foreman chased me off. I was an electronics tech with Secret clearance but with no need to know - but I just had to check out all the goodies. At the time I tested and repaired various ASQ and ALQ systems.
It is a shame NAS Alameda is no longer a functioning Air Base.
@@mikemarley2389 Yes, Mike it is a shame especially when Alameda had just undergone major military construction upgrades. The base was left open long enough to complete contracts. Several reasons for Alameda closing: 1) It was the most expensive depot to operate; 2) It was the EEO grievous capital with more racial and sex discrimination cases than all the other depots combined; 3) local government was opposed to military and reps always voted against appropriations; 3) SF Mayor Art Fagnos told the Navy to pound sand when they were going to expand ports in the SF Bay Area. Navy had enough liberal nonsense and left.
@@beyond_the_infinite2098 I do not blame them.
@ 3:04 the narrator says "However the E-18 Growler has many advantages over it's replacement"
I think he should have said "predecessor" instead of replacement.
I remember getting excited when I'd see an EF-111A at Moutain Home AFB. There were several F-111s, but only a few "Spark Varks".
The most powerful military force is the 450 USAF Minuteman missiles and the Bomber fleet.. nothing kicks ass faster than the USAF ..also the USAF is getting the most advanced (EW) aircraft made the EC-37B next year. So good news .. I have been right up close to a Growler.. darn good aircraft.
In terms of strategic weapons absolutely - what I meant (and should have specified) was conventional forces: a US carrier strike group is widely regarded as the most potent form of firepower and power projection in the world. Thanks for commenting!
@@PilotPhotog yes they do keep are oceans safe for shipping. I agree
Another great video, breaking it down and giving us the facts, very informative and visually appealing!!!! Great job!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Terrific video.
@@susanartigas7498 Thank you!
10:00 smoothest naval aviator landing
Another great post Tog. Thorough and accurate. This variant of the F/A-18F that full capitalizes on the Super Hornet's strengths and advancement in EW technology. Given the challenging environment today's military procurement face (always face), I speculate we will see this platform serving well beyond that of the traditional F/A-18E/Fs. Easily approaching a 40 year service life i.e. another 30 years.🤓
Agreed Scott and thank you as always. I feel that EW will start to play a more prominent role - especially in the Western Pacific...
Thanks for this another well-made video of my favorite plane. When I first saw the EA-18G, it kinda reminded me of an old Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron movie "The Astronaut's Wife." 🤨 My personal favorite is the VAQ-141 "Shadowhawks" paint scheme. Both Black/Gray and Red/Gray. 😉
Loved seeing the fully painted bird on deck when I was on the Roosevelt, took photos of all the fully painted ones and you are right, it is one of the best looking(next to VF-84 Jolly Roger) birds out there....Ah the memories...
I know the Growler was ominously absent in “Top Gun Maverick” in dealing with the SA-3 SAMs but that wouldn’t have made for a fun movie to watch.
"Top Gun: Maverick" would have been more realistic with a few EA-18G Growlers jamming enemy radars or using HARMs to destroy enemy radars, but then Maverick and Rooster wouldn't have been hit.
Very good presentation. Kept me wondering what aspect of this great airplane can do next. Thank you. Your voice is well modulated. Keep up the fine work. 🙂
Thank you kindly!
I was in vaq-139 we had the EA 6B prowlers in 2002-2004
Great video. I am currently with VAQ-134 doing things overseas.
You misspoke at the beginning. You mentioned the “occasional” submarine. A carrier NEVER sails without an attack boat. Ever. Even if she’s just transiting from one port to another, heading out just for the day or going on a 6 month deployment. There’s always a sub protecting her. Because she is the biggest target for enemy subs.
Only two countries on the planet has these that is pretty legit compared to most other jets.
Excellent explanation of the EA-18 Growler.
Thank you kindly!
It's not an occasional submarine but rather always a submarine or 2
I remember getting my orders to VAQ-132 and was excited about going on a long cruise on the Carl Vinson. . .only to be called by my sponsor and notified that we are now expeditionary, so to Iraq we went for the first operational Growler deployment. I miss it a lot.
I was a gray wolf and we’re also expeditionary. Living in a tent in turkey was great. Saudi was not so great
As a Canadian, I belief our armws forces need to order several growlers along with at least 100 super hornets to upgrade our aging fleet.
As amazing as this aircraft is, the capabilities this will have with the NGJ will basically make it a whole new aircraft, multiplying its EW capabilities significantly.
Whenever anyone says "tip of the spear" all I can hear is Bill Paxton in Edge of Tomorrow 😂😂
Nice plane though
I believe that the Growler should be fitted with the conformal fuel tanks of the block III Super Hornets so as to free up two of the underwing pylons stations which would be better used for harm missiles or other weapon systems
CFTs for Navy Super Bug's is a dead issue.
@@AA-xo9uw dead issue? Elaborate how and when did it become a dead issue?
@@leonardsnebold2781 CFTs don't buy enough range or endurance to be worth the cost. Not going to happen.
@@leonardsnebold2781 The Navy halted all development on Super Bug CFTs issuing a stop-work order to Boeing on 6 January 2021. Too many issues with "cost, schedule and performance" most notably an incompatibility with the rough and tumble world of CVN flight ops; "technical, structural, and sustainment in a carrier environment." Block IIIs coming off the line have the ability to be fitted with CFTs if any foreign operators so choose but it's all moot now where the Navy is concerned.
Your right. The new F-18 block 3 has fuel tanks on top. It would free up a lot of space in the underbelly.
The biggest weakness of this platform IS THE PROBLEM that has always plagued the F-18. Yes maintenance per flight hour has dropped BUT the Hornet/Growler has a need to refuel shortly after takeoff and then again on its way back to base/carrier. The numbers of cycles per mission had to increase over the A-6 and EA-6B. So the hornets wore out a lot faster than anticipated plus the Navy had to purchase additional platforms because the hornet replace everything but Helicopters, CODs and E2C’s. So the cost savings hasn’t been nearly as good as the sales brochure.
Any navy Navy fighter, fighter attack and Electronics warfare platform needs a combat radius of at least 500 nm and preferably 650
The Super Hornet and the Growler together prove something which in recent years has been doubled down upon by an utter failure in both Air Force and Navy designs -- modularity _always_ plays second fiddle to interoperability. The most vaunted "advantage" of the F-35 is that it can be quickly configured for most mission profiles with a number of plug-in systems compatible with its airframe and avionics fittings. Well, the Growler began life not as a dedicated EAW airframe but as a regular Super Hornet fitted "for but not with" these same plug-in systems. RAAF Super Hornets themselves were rolling off the line in this fashion before the decision was finalized to acquire purpose-made Growlers. That means some of the RAAF's Super Hornet fleet are already wired for EAW should the need arise to convert them also. In practice this provides customers with a cheaper and nearly as capable -- as well as equally upgradable -- alternative to the F-35 in the Super Hornet family. Because the simple fact is not everybody needs, let alone wants, the F-35's admittedly fine capabilities when there is a more affordable (long term as well as at point of acquisition) option already developed that meets and exceeds the needs of these customers anyway.
I don't want to say anything too hurtful about the F-35 though. It is a fine successor to the Super Hornet family and a very forward-thinking design should we all decide that we need an airframe which can take on the roles of _two_ airframe families (Super Hornets and Vipers) and it most certainly has a more desirable radar profile to either. But its expense and sophistication are practical disadvantages all operators need to be aware of. The Super Hornet isn't going anywhere any time soon. One day it might just _be_ second fiddle to the F-35 but it has a long life ahead of it until then. And the Growler has proven this.
Think about how lethal a combo of F-35s and Growlers could be. F-35 is practically invisible, and Growler can poke your eyes out with impunity. There is no air defense in the world that can stop you. Looking to the future, it will be necessary to have a duel seat plane to carry an operator for the drone control pods. F-18 being a modular jack-of-all-trades, it could easily accommodate the task.
@@spackle9999 what about the occasional F22?
"I don't want to say anything too hurtful about the F-35 though. It is a fine successor to the Super Hornet family"(sic)
The F-35 is replacing the legacy Hornet not the Super Hornet. The Super Hornet will be succeeded by the F/A-XX.
If the Lightnings are so good why would they even need a growler?
Yes that's an amazing video now F 18 is always the legend wether in electronic warfare , high AoA capabilities, AESA radar , 0.5 RCS equipped with internal weapon bay pods.
F 14 Tomcat is always Overrated while F 18 Superhornet has always overlooked and seen as inferior aircraft but tomcats are no match for F 18
Neither are 9g planes even clean. Jussayin….
Find yourself a copy of "Battle of the Superfighters" and get edified.
The Growler is one bad ass aircraft. What a great machine and we should be building many more of them for the best pilots in the navy to help keep us safe. Love that Growler
Loved seeing these when I lived near NAS Whidbey.
I don't ever comment about sponsorship ads but "You can avoid the danger zone and win the battle of bulge" got me. Brilliant.
Thanks, glad you caught that and cheers!
Finally make the F/A -18 Growler great and...make your family proud 😁
EA-18G
Its hard to believe that the new Growlers are using a new version of the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System that we were working on some fifty years ago. Survivability and use of the -99 has been a record equal to the Hornet aircraft carrying it.
The -99 is just that good. I worked on them & even I don’t know the full limits of its capabilities. I’ve heard some stories from folks who were closer to where they got to flex their muscles, and if I were to only believe the less fantastical half of them I’d still be blown away.
Another thing that's really smart by the military is the development of drones that are designed to mimic other aircraft radar signature. They can flood an area with them, causing massive confusion. This can allow non stealth aircraft like the F-15 to be viable again.
10:01 That might be the hardest non-carrier landing I’ve ever seen!!
😂 ol mate probably never landed on land before by looking at that
Old habit die hard, you must went full throttle while landing on carrier
I love the vid, Tog! One of my friends and I were just talking about the Growler a few days ago. He'd love this vid! I do have a question however. Its about the future of Growlers. If given the opportunity, do you think that USAF would upgrade the Growlers to the more modern F/A-18 Block III? Personally I think it would have added benefits at the reduction of cost as well before they fully invest into another advanced EW aircraft.
Thanks and glad you enjoyed the vid! I think (hope) the Navy upgrades the Growlers to the Block III standard, the need for electronic warfare aircraft probably has never been greater.
@@PilotPhotog I agree completely. The need for EW is very apparent in the modern day and an upgrade to the Block III will go a long way in my eyes.
"do you think that USAF would upgrade the Growlers to the more modern F/A-18 Block III?"(sic)
The zoomies only fly the EA-18G. No way they would pay to upgrade aircraft that belong to the Navy. They've gotten quite used to sucking off the Prowler/Growler teat for nearly 30 years.
Wonderful aircraft. No way it breaks Mach 1 with those external stores.
without pods you can go Supersonic.
@@musicon1197 Clean not dirty and only at altitude.
I want to know what the F35's potential as a next gen growler is. It could be just as effective as the F18+ stealth.
It already is. F-35s can simultaneously attack enemy radars while still scanning and tracking. But Growler can disrupt just about all forms of communication except carrier pigeons, further reducing their ability to detect our aircraft, much less the stealthy ones.
@@spackle9999 the F-35 has a lot of this stuff already built in, but internal means harder to upgrade and replace.
The Super Hornet variants might need a F-15EX variant as they fill a useful workhorse role.
Might even be able to omit the G and just have the base airframe flexible enough to just carry pods - less aircraft types, easier logistics, easier cross-training.
@@Justanotherconsumer EX Needs the G to be a credible threat in the modern era. Otherwise, they're just flying targets. You can't just slap pods and call it good. The Growler has trouble generating enough electricity for all the systems and it can do jamming for (well) over 300 nm whereas the F-35 can only reliably jam a few radars at once. Growler will also generate enough power for laser pods, once they're here in a few years.
I have an idea to turn the F-35B into a laser gunship. Just remove the central lift fan and replace it with a generator. That shaft can spin at 50K rpm, so even making one to handle that much rotation speed will be a challenge.
The F-35 serves a different role than the EA-18G.
Excellent content, non-biased, Keep-up the good work...
Thank you!
Rule North America, the 'Stars and Bars' now rules the waves, with some help from her allies we shall never ever be Evil's slaves. U.S naval dominance is awesome, literally. The F18 has 'been there, done that' and so qualifies to wear it's legendary status as fleet defender and war-horse in the skies above the 'mother ship' and fleet. A truly great all-weather, all mission, killing machine. Stay safe my friend, and, '"Thank you, as always".
Thank you Tim!
Am I the only one who finds it funny that we have a "Growler" ? !
C'mon, that's hilarious!
I live near Whidby Island, it's fun to see them out on their training fights. A few years ago one of their pilots got in trouble for drawing a giant p***s with his exhaust Trail.
Fantastic production my friend I never miss a video 👍
Very much appreciated!
I'm gonna question whether it will ever get close to Mach 1.8 with jammer pods hanging off the wings...
The airframe is Mach limited to 0.95 with pods hung.
The only way a Super Bug goes that fast is clean at altitude, definitely not dirty.
EA-18G is one of my faves.
Super interesting! Thanks for posting! 👍
Thanks for a great video.
I wonder how it can be that the USAF don't have a EA aircraft like this.
Maybe there will be a EA-15 EX Eagle in the future? 🤔
That would be cool!
F-15G
F-35 is a very capable EA/ECM platform. For specialized missions like this, you could configure drones to do the job, which USAF is working very hard on.
"I wonder how it can be that the USAF don't have a EA aircraft like this."
Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
Congress has abdicated its responsibilities and allowed the zoomies to suck on the Prowler/Growler fleet for nearly 30 years. It should be written into law to force them to field a tactical AEA platform. Making the Prowler a national asset screwed over the Marine Corps and the Navy and let the zoomies off the ropes.
@randomguy9777 Better hurry as the Super Bug line won't be churning aircraft for much longer.
Awesome video of the Growler!😎👍🏿
Thanks 👍glad you enjoyed it!
Always a fan of the 18. great video
I did not know the Prowler was retired and replaced by this grey Underated Fighter Jet!
As someone who has flown both, I'll take the Growler into combat, thank you very much. :)
@@brett327 Make sure you take a tanker with you.
@@AA-xo9uw They say that all the Time. But the F-14 Tocat had to Top off with Fuel once off the Deck of a Carrier. And up to 4 times during a 2 hour Sortie.
this type of hornet has always been my favorite hornet
What's most amazing about these aircraft is how many weapon systems they have in such a small fighter aircraft. !
I’m a grouch, it’s an attack aircraft not technically a fighter aircraft , grouch out.
I love the Growler!!!
I was at VX23 in the flight test program from first flight of E1 to the G`s. we had a ton of fun execpt going to ridgecrest
Lol sounded like you went real hard on that ad. I was wondering why you were shouting about a magical spoon.
Great video though, I love the channel.
Bless you bro
E.A Growler, it’s in the war!
Framp w/VAQ-129 Vikings, 1983-84. Marine Corps. Then, MAG 42, Det C for the Vietnam Era EA-6A. Transitioned to the Prowlers, all as Avionics Technician. Always working on these birds, enjoyed my time in the Corps, until injury took me out (83-91).
Cool Beans!!
Wow, the TWR almost 100%.Impressive.
The EA-18G is Mach limited to 0.95 with pods hung. That may very well decrease with the increased size of ALQ-249 pods and the infamous pylon cant on the Super Bug wing.
The only operational fighter that can hit their full speed while carrying weapons is F-22 and F-35
Excellent depth.
America is blessed with every wisdom
One thing you forgot to mention in the video is that Growler cut the flight crew needed by 50% from the Prowler (two flight crew needed (Growler), instead of four (Prowler). Good video, however.
I remember the Prowler was flying in the Med (I think), during one of the Middle East, Libyan crisises. It shutdown everything electronic in that area. I can't help but think, that a detachment of Growlers should go on NATO "exercises" with Poland & Romania close to the Ukrainian border. Disorganize the Russian forces even further!!
One underrated , beast ! Wow ! So much I thought I knew that I had no idea…. Thanks to badass video that the Growler ain’t something to mess with! ✌🏻🙌🏻 thankfully one of ours 🇺🇸💯💯🙌🏻🙌🏻😎🍻❤️
This channel is so amazing 🔥
Thank you 🙌
Khibiny EWS in Su 30SM's is the big challenge for EA Growler
These would be perfectly paired with F/A-14Es from the Super Tomcat 21 program in
VFA squadrons.
NAS Whidbey Island, WA. Home of the Growler.
My favorite hornet variant next to the Block III