EF-18G Growler Readying for Fleet Duty | Aviation International News

EF-18G Growler Readying for Fleet Duty

Ahead of schedule and under budget, Boeing delivered the first of an expected 85 operational models of its EF-18G Growler to the U.S.

By Curt Epstein • Business Aviation Services Editor

August 12, 2008

Ahead of schedule and under budget, Boeing delivered the first of an expected 85 operational models of its EF-18G Growler to the U.S. Navy in early June, followed by three more during July and August. Electronic attack squadron VAQ-129 based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, received the aircraft, which are expected to enter operational evaluation in September as the fleet readiness squadron fills out to five aircraft.

Under a $1.2 billion system development and demonstration contract signed in December 2003, the fighter derivative made its first flight less than three years later and entered low-rate initial production in 2007. Based on the two-seat Block II F/A-18F, which began production in mid-2005, the Growler is latest member of the versatile Hornet family. Its name was chosen as homage to the aircraft it was designed to replace, the EA-6B Prowler, which entered service in 1971.

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