Northrop Delivers Shipset Of Boeing EA-18G Growler

Northrop Grumman has delivered a subassembly of the first of 12 EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to Boeing.

It was ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the company announced in its press release Thursday.

The subassembly, also known as a shipset, comprises the Growler's center/aft fuselage section, twin vertical tails and all associated subsystems. It is the 115th Growler ship set produced by Northrop Grumman and the first to be produced for an international customer.

"I am confident that Growler will provide our air force with the most versatile and effective airborne electronic attack platform in the world," said RAAF Director General Capability Planning, Air Commodore Michael Kitcher.

Including this first Growler, Northrop Grumman has delivered shipsets for 100 Australian F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, including 24 F/A-18 Super Hornets. Northrop Grumman is Boeing's principal subcontractor on the F/A-18 Super Hornet and its Growler derivative.

Northrop Grumman produced and integrated the RAAF Growler shipset on its F/A-18 assembly line in El Segundo, which it uses to produce major center and aft structures for both F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft. The company plans to continue producing shipsets on the line at least through August 2017.

The EA-18G Growler is a derivative of the Navy's combat-proven, two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. Its primary mission is to detect, identify and disrupt enemy air defense radar and related communication systems.