Boeing, U.S. Navy integrate tablet on EA-18 Growler

The U.S. Navy and Boeing integrated a Windows-based tablet with a EA-18G Growler's mission system in a recent demonstration of new targeting technologies.

The tablet was integrated with the electronic attack aircraft's mission system along with an advanced targeting processor, high-bandwidth data link, and an open architecture. Following the integration, the aircraft showed an an enhanced ability to detect targets from long distances, and rapid information sharing capability.

"This enhanced targeting capability provides our aircrews with a significant advantage, especially in an increasingly dense threat environment where longer-range targeting is critical to the fight," said Capt. David Kindley, U.S. Navy F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager in a statement.

Boeing officials say the process will be replicated on more EA-18 Growlers, eventually becoming a standard offering on new aircraft in production.

"This long-range targeting technology is essential as we advance electronic attack capabilities for the conflicts of today and tomorrow," Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G programs vice president Dan Gillian said of the new technology.

The U.S. Navy's EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft combining the F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with an advanced electronic warfare suite. The craft featres ALF-99 jamming pods, communication countermeasures, the ALQ-218 receiver, and satellite communication capabilities.