The EA-18G Growler is a Boeing-built electronic attack derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, fielded to jam, detect, and attack hostile radars, communications, and air-defense networks while retaining missile carriage for suppression missions. U.S. Navy and Australian Growlers provide carrier or land-based electronic warfare support, with early combat deployment in Iraq and Libya in 2010-2011 and later documented use in 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve, Red Sea operations against Houthi forces, and the U.S.-Iran strike context.
Reuters-published reporting in The Jerusalem Post showed an EA-18G Growler launching from USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury during the 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict, indicating U.S. electronic-attack support to the strike campaign.
Role detailsU.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers were documented flying an Operation Inherent Resolve mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in December 2024.
Role detailsVAQ-130 EA-18G Growlers aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower flew combat missions and strikes during the 2024 Red Sea deployment, including operations against Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen under Operation Prosperity Guardian and Operation Yukon Lightning.
Role detailsVAQ-130's first Growler deployment in July 2013 supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan for seven months while operating from the Gulf of Oman.
Role detailsUSNI News identified Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard USS Carl Vinson in the North Arabian Sea during the June 2025 U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and reported that the air wing included EA-18G Growler electronic-attack aircraft used for suppression of enemy air defenses, while noting that it was unclear whether Carl Vinson aircraft participated in the strikes.
Defence Blog reported that U.S. forces used EA-18G Growler electronic-attack aircraft during the January 3, 2026 strike on Venezuela to disable radar and communications systems in the 2026 United States-Venezuela Conflict.
VAQ-132 reports that it became the first squadron to deploy the EA-18G Growler in 2010, supporting Operation New Dawn in Iraq during the 2003 Iraq War.
Role detailsNAVAIR and VAQ-132 identify Libya's Operation Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector as early Growler combat use, with VAQ-132 reporting combat AGM-88 HARM employment from the Growler over Libya.
EA-18G variants are best understood as F/A-18F-derived Growler configurations and upgrade states rather than a large export variant family.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Growler Block II | Developmental modernization configuration | NAVAIR describes Growler Block II as in development with the Advanced Cockpit System, internal improvements shared with F/A-18E/F Block III, and Airborne Electronic Attack suite enhancements. Sources: EA-18G Growler |
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 item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Air-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 |
 | Beyond-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 |
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 item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Tactical 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 |
 | Airborne 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 |
NAVAIR says the first Growler test aircraft went into production in October 2004, starting the dedicated electronic-attack variant's test program.
Sources: EA-18G Growler
NAVAIR says the Growler reached initial operational capability in September 2009 after first delivery to VAQ-129 and the transition of additional squadrons in 2010.
Sources: EA-18G Growler
Boeing reported that VAQ-132 completed an eight-month deployment that included combat operations in CENTCOM and AFRICOM and support to NATO operations in Libya.
Sources: Boeing EA-18G Growlers Complete 1st Combat Deployment
VAQ-130's first EA-18G deployment supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan for seven months while the squadron operated from the Gulf of Oman.
Sources: VAQ-130 Squadron History
NAVAIR says AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band reached Milestone C in 2021, moving the EA-18G external-carriage jammer into production and deployment.
Sources: Next Generation Jammer
NAVAIR reported that the Navy declared NGJ-MB initial operational capability in December 2024 after VAQ-133 deployed the system aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.
Sources: US Navy declares initial operational capability for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band system
