EA-18G Moves to Operational Evaluation

>The EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft is due to reach Initial Operational Capability in the fall of 2009, with deliveries to continue until 2013. (US Navy photo)NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. --- In a culmination of milestones over the past year and a half, the EA-18G Growler has moved to Operational Evaluation (OpEval).>> The Growler, replacing the EA-6B Prowler, has conducted its sea trials, tested missiles and surpassed more than 1,000 flight hours in the past several months.>> The Growlers sea trials occurred July 31 through Aug. 5 on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The combined efforts of the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) carrier suitability team, the F/A-18 and EA-18G program office, industry partners and crew members of the USS Eisenhower, resulted in 319 approaches, 62 catapult shots and 62 arrested landings.>> Originally, the squadron planned to use one EA-18G for 10 days to conduct the sea trials, which would have allowed for greater flexibility in weather and deck conditions. However, due to operational requirements of the Eisenhower, the squadron was required to qualify the Growler for the carrier in just five days, half of the initial allotted time.>> To achieve this, the squadron used one Growler and one F/A-18, configured as a Growler.>> Most of those who saw our plan didnt think it was executable because we had to go out to the ship, spend five days getting over 300 approaches, which was in the original plan as well as 62 arrested landings and 62 catapult shots. The team and the Eisenhower really pulled it through for us, said Cmdr. Jaime Engdahl, VX-23 EA-18G department head.