Guerra electrónica

EA-18G Growler

Also known as
  • E/A-18G Growler
  • EA-18 Growler
  • Growler
  • Boeing EA-18G
  • Boeing EA-18G Growler

El EA-18G Growler es un derivado de ataque electrónico construido por Boeing a partir del F/A-18F Super Hornet biplaza, desplegado para interferir, detectar y atacar radares, comunicaciones y redes de defensa aérea hostiles mientras conserva capacidad de portar misiles para misiones de supresión. Los Growler de la U.S. Navy y Australia proporcionan apoyo de guerra electrónica desde portaaviones o bases terrestres, con despliegue de combate temprano en Irak y Libia en 2010-2011 y uso documentado posteriormente en Operation Inherent Resolve de 2014, operaciones en el mar Rojo contra fuerzas hutíes y el contexto de ataques entre Estados Unidos e Irán.

EA-18G Growler, Avión de ataque electrónico aerotransportado apto para portaaviones, Guerra electrónica
Image source: US Navy 080801-D-8974S-454 An EA-18G Growler conducts

Role in Conflicts

2025 Israel-Iran Conflict
Electronic WarfareTargeting Support
Side
United States

Informes de Reuters publicados en The Jerusalem Post mostraron un EA-18G Growler despegando del USS Abraham Lincoln en apoyo de la Operation Epic Fury durante el conflicto Israel-Irán de 2025, lo que indicaba apoyo estadounidense de ataque electrónico a la campaña de ataques.

Role details
2020 United States-Iran Conflict
Electronic WarfareTargeting Support

USNI News identificó al Carrier Air Wing 2 a bordo del USS Carl Vinson en el mar Arábigo Norte durante los ataques estadounidenses de junio de 2025 contra instalaciones nucleares iraníes e informó de que el ala aérea incluía aviones de ataque electrónico EA-18G Growler usados para la supresión de defensas aéreas enemigas, aunque señaló que no estaba claro si aeronaves del Carl Vinson participaron en los ataques.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Estados Unidos
Built by
Boeing
Type
Avión de ataque electrónico aerotransportado apto para portaaviones
Service note
Introducido en el servicio operativo de la U.S. Navy en 2009 y activo en alas aéreas embarcadas actuales
Designer
Boeing y U.S. Navy
Designed
Principios de la década de 2000; el primer avión de prueba entró en producción en 2004
Unit cost
68 millones de dólares
Produced
2007-presente
Developed from
F/A-18F Super Hornet / familia F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
Developed into
Growler Block II y configuraciones EA-18G H16/integradas con Next Generation Jammer

Specifications

Tripulación
2
Función principal
Ataque electrónico aerotransportado
Conjunto de guerra electrónica
Receptor ALQ-218, pods de interferencia táctica ALQ-99, contramedidas de comunicaciones ALQ-227, Joint Tactical Terminal-Receiver y radar AESA APG-79
Armamento
Dos AIM-120, dos AGM-88 HARM y tres pods de interferencia táctica ALQ-99 en una carga representativa de la Navy; DOT&E también describe AGM-88 HARM/AARGM, AIM-120 y hasta cinco pods ALQ-99 integrados con el sistema interno AN/ALQ-218
Propulsión
Dos motores turbofán F414-GE-400, cada uno con 22.000 lb de empuje estático
Alcance de combate
Más de 850 millas náuticas con dos AIM-120, tres pods ALQ-99, dos AGM-88 HARM y dos depósitos externos de combustible de 480 galones
Techo
50.000 ft
Dimensiones
60,2 ft de longitud; 44,9 ft de envergadura; 16 ft de altura
Variants

Las variantes del EA-18G se entienden mejor como configuraciones y estados de actualización del Growler derivados del F/A-18F, más que como una gran familia de variantes de exportación.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Growler Block IIConfiguración de modernización en desarrollo

NAVAIR describe el Growler Block II como en desarrollo con el Advanced Cockpit System, mejoras internas compartidas con el F/A-18E/F Block III y mejoras del conjunto Airborne Electronic Attack.

Sources: EA-18G Growler

Carried Munitions

NAVAIR and DOT&E identify AGM-88-series anti-radiation missiles and AIM-120 AMRAAM as the Growler's carried missile armament for suppression and self-protection.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
AGM-88 HARM, Air-to-surface anti-radiation missile, MunitionsAGM-88 HARMAir-to-surface anti-radiation missile

NAVAIR lists two AGM-88 HARM missiles in the representative EA-18G loadout, and DOT&E describes the Growler as employing AGM-88 HARM/AARGM for suppression of enemy air defenses.

Sources: EA-18G Growler, DOT&E FY2025 Annual Report - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler

AIM-120 AMRAAM, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsAIM-120 AMRAAMBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile

NAVAIR lists two AIM-120 missiles in the representative Growler armament and combat loadout, while DOT&E describes AIM-120 AMRAAM as the Growler's self-protection missile.

Sources: EA-18G Growler, DOT&E FY2025 Annual Report - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler

Carried Electronic Warfare Systems

The Growler's relationship lane centers on externally carried jamming systems and the internal receiver suite that supports them; only existing public pod records are linked here.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, Tactical jamming pod system, Electronic WarfareALQ-99 Tactical Jamming SystemTactical jamming pod system

NAVAIR says the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System is an external-carriage airborne electronic attack capability for the EA-18G Growler used against radar and communications targets, and DOT&E says the Growler can carry up to five ALQ-99 pods integrated with its internal AN/ALQ-218 system.

Sources: ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, EA-18G Growler, DOT&E FY2025 Annual Report - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler

AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band, Carrier-based airborne electronic attack jamming pod system, Electronic WarfareAN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer Mid-BandAirborne electronic attack pod system

NAVAIR describes AN/ALQ-249 NGJ-MB as an external-carriage AEA capability for the EA-18G, with pod and aircraft modifications enabling carriage, communication, and employment; the Navy declared NGJ-MB initial operational capability in December 2024.

Sources: Next Generation Jammer, US Navy declares initial operational capability for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band system

Internal receiver context

DOT&E describes the Growler's ALQ-99 pod carriage as integrated with the internal AN/ALQ-218 electronic warfare system for detection and jamming; no exact public ALQ-218 catalog entry was found during this pass, so it remains sourced context rather than a hard link.

Sources: DOT&E FY2025 Annual Report - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler

Timeline

EA-18G Growler Key Events

  1. El primer avión de prueba entra en producción

    NAVAIR afirma que el primer avión de prueba Growler entró en producción en octubre de 2004, iniciando el programa de pruebas de la variante dedicada de ataque electrónico.

    Sources: EA-18G Growler

  2. Capacidad operativa inicial

    NAVAIR afirma que el Growler alcanzó la capacidad operativa inicial en septiembre de 2009 tras la primera entrega a VAQ-129 y la transición de escuadrones adicionales en 2010.

    Sources: EA-18G Growler

  3. Finaliza el primer despliegue de combate

    Boeing informó de que VAQ-132 completó un despliegue de ocho meses que incluyó operaciones de combate en CENTCOM y AFRICOM y apoyo a operaciones de la OTAN en Libia.

    Sources: Boeing EA-18G Growlers Complete 1st Combat Deployment

  4. El primer despliegue del Growler apoya la misión en Afganistán

    El primer despliegue de EA-18G de VAQ-130 apoyó Operation Enduring Freedom en Afganistán durante siete meses mientras el escuadrón operaba desde el golfo de Omán.

    Sources: VAQ-130 Squadron History

  5. NGJ-MB entra en la fase de producción

    NAVAIR afirma que el AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band alcanzó Milestone C en 2021, llevando el interferidor de transporte externo del EA-18G a producción y despliegue.

    Sources: Next Generation Jammer

  6. NGJ-MB alcanza la capacidad operativa inicial

    NAVAIR informó de que la Navy declaró la capacidad operativa inicial del NGJ-MB en diciembre de 2024 después de que VAQ-133 desplegara el sistema a bordo del USS Abraham Lincoln.

    Sources: US Navy declares initial operational capability for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band system

Media

EA-18G Growler Videos

EA-18G Growler Images

EA-18G Growler, Avión de ataque electrónico aerotransportado apto para portaaviones, Guerra electrónica - view 1
Source: EA-18G Growler VX-9 from below 2008
EA-18G Growler, Avión de ataque electrónico aerotransportado apto para portaaviones, Guerra electrónica - view 2
Source: Boeing EA-18G Growler of VAQ-138 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington (USA), on 27 June 2015
EA-18G Growler, Avión de ataque electrónico aerotransportado apto para portaaviones, Guerra electrónica - view 3
Source: U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers fly in formation during an OIR mission over the USCENTCOM AoR
Related Weapon Systems
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF/A-18E/F Super HornetCarrier-capable multirole strike fighterBoeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a U.S. Navy carrier-capable multirole strike fighter developed from the Hornet family for fleet air defense, escort, interdiction, close air support, aerial refueling, suppression of enemy air defenses, and day/night precision strike. The single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F anchor carrier air wings through Block II and Block III upgrades, with documented U.S. Navy use in Afghanistan drawdown support, Operation Inherent Resolve, the Red Sea crisis, Somalia strikes, and U.S. operations against Iran.
F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)Carrier-capable multirole strike fighterThe F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical) is the National Naval Aviation Museum's label for the original McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 A-D Hornet family, a twin-engine carrier-capable strike fighter that entered Marine Corps service in 1983 and U.S. Navy service in 1984. NAVAIR describes the Hornet as the nation's first all-weather fighter and attack aircraft; its documented combat record spans Libya, Desert Storm, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and later coalition campaigns.
ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, Tactical jamming pod system, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareALQ-99 Tactical Jamming SystemTactical jamming pod systemThe ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System is a U.S. external-carriage airborne electronic attack pod family used to jam radar and communications targets for suppression of enemy air defenses. NAVAIR says it entered service in 1971, served on the EA-6B Prowler before transitioning to the EA-18G Growler in 2010, and remains in use alongside Next Generation Jammer pods, including documented VAQ-133 carriage during 2026 Iran War strike operations.
AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band, Carrier-based airborne electronic attack jamming pod system, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareAN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer Mid-BandCarrier-based airborne electronic attack jamming pod systemThe AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band is Raytheon's airborne electronic attack pod for U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growlers, replacing part of the ALQ-99 mission set with two-pod ship sets built around active electronically scanned arrays and a digital back end. It reached initial operational capability in December 2024 and has documented combat-linked use from VAQ-133 deployments in the 2023 Red Sea Crisis and 2026 Iran War.
EC-130H Compass Call, Airborne electronic attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsEC-130H Compass CallAirborne electronic attack aircraftThe EC-130H Compass Call is the U.S. Air Force's legacy airborne electronic-attack aircraft, a heavily modified C-130H that denies, degrades, and disrupts adversary command-and-control communications, radars, and navigation systems. Its mission crew operates permanently installed electronic-attack equipment for U.S. and coalition air, surface, maritime, and special-operations support, while the EC-130H fleet transitions to the EA-37B Compass Call successor.

Sources

EA-18G GrowlerPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports official background, contractor, service-entry details, electronic warfare suite, and specifications; 2011 First Libyan Civil War: the source says the Growler's first baptism of fire came with Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya 2011. | Accessed: 2026-07-04ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming SystemPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports the Growler's carried ALQ-99 tactical jamming pod context and representative three-pod loadout. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Boeing EA-18G Growlers Complete 1st Combat DeploymentPublisher: Boeing | Note: 2011 First Libyan Civil War: Boeing reported that VAQ-132 transitioned to AFRICOM to conduct operations supporting NATO in Libya during the 2011 deployment. | Accessed: 2026-07-04EA-18G Growler in support of Operation Epic Fury attack on IranPublisher: The Jerusalem Post / Reuters | Note: 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict: the source shows an EA-18G Growler used by the United States in support of the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran. | Accessed: 2026-07-04F/A-18 Super Hornet & EA-18 GrowlerPublisher: Boeing | Note: Supports manufacturer background, the Growler's airborne electronic attack role, and modernization context for H16 and Next Generation Jammer integration. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Raytheon reveals NGJ-MB pods for GrowlerPublisher: Janes | Note: Supports the EA-18G Growler's integration with the AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pod system. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Next Generation JammerPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports NGJ family context, AN/ALQ-249 NGJ-MB external carriage on the EA-18G Growler, required aircraft modifications, production-phase timing, and ALQ-99 replacement context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04US Navy declares initial operational capability for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band systemPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports December 2024 NGJ-MB initial operational capability, VAQ-133 deployed and combat use context, Raytheon development, and ALQ-99 augmentation/replacement context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04DOT&E FY2025 Annual Report - F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G GrowlerPublisher: Director, Operational Test and Evaluation | Note: Supports relationship context for the EA-18G as an F/A-18F electronic-attack variant, up to five ALQ-99 pods integrated with the internal AN/ALQ-218 system, AGM-88 HARM/AARGM, AIM-120 self-protection carriage, AN/ALQ-249 testing, and CID&D modernization context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04US Navy 080801-D-8974S-454 An EA-18G Growler conductsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: U.S. Navy public-domain image provenance for the primary image, photographed during carrier qualification aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. | Accessed: 2026-07-04EA-18G Growler VX-9 from below 2008Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: U.S. Navy public-domain image provenance for a VX-9 EA-18G Growler photographed over California in August 2008. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Boeing EA-18G Growler of VAQ-138 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington (USA), on 27 June 2015Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: CC BY 2.0 image provenance for a VAQ-138 EA-18G Growler photographed at NAS Whidbey Island; the file is a Commons-reviewed Flickr transfer rather than a U.S. government image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers fly in formation during an OIR mission over the USCENTCOM AoRPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Directly documents U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers flying an 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve mission, and supports public-domain image provenance for file 241224-F-FF346-1381.JPG. | Accessed: 2026-07-04VAQ-137 HistoryPublisher: U.S. Navy Air Forces Pacific | Note: 2014 War Against the Islamic State: VAQ-137 reports EA-18G Growler combat operations in Iraq and Syria supporting 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve during the anti-ISIS campaign. | Accessed: 2026-07-04VAQ-130 Squadron HistoryPublisher: Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet | Note: 2001 War in Afghanistan: the source shows VAQ-130 supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan for seven months while operating from the Gulf of Oman. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Forces use Growlers to blind Venezuelan air-defense systemsPublisher: Defence Blog | Note: 2026 United States-Venezuela Conflict: the source says EA-18G Growlers were used by U.S. forces during the January 3 strike on Venezuela. | Accessed: 2026-07-04EA-18G Growler Killed A Houthi Mi-24 Hind With An AGM-88E Anti-Radiation MissilePublisher: The War Zone | Note: Directly supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis use by documenting a Growler-launched AGM-88E engagement during U.S.-led strikes on Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. | Accessed: 2026-07-04VAQ-132 Squadron HistoryPublisher: Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet | Note: 2003 Iraq War: VAQ-132 says it became the first squadron to deploy the EA-18G Growler in 2010 while supporting Operation New Dawn in Iraq; 2011 First Libyan Civil War: the source says VAQ-132 first employed AGM-88 HARM in combat from the Growler while supporting Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector over Libya. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 Returns from DeploymentPublisher: Commander, Navy Region Northwest | Note: Directly supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis context by documenting VAQ-130 Growler combat missions and strikes from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower during Operation Prosperity Guardian and Operation Yukon Lightning. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Drops 14 Bunker Busters in B-2 Strike Against Iranian Nuclear SitesPublisher: USNI News | Note: Directly supports 2020 United States-Iran Conflict use: EA-18G Growlers were fielded by the United States with Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard USS Carl Vinson in the North Arabian Sea during the June 2025 U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. | Accessed: 2026-07-04