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Boeing eyes USN's Growler for conformal fuel tank upgrade
Caitlin Lee, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
22 December 2013
The USN's EA-18G Growler is a prime candidate for conformal fuel tanks, according to Boeing. Source: US Navy
Key Points
The conformal fuel tanks, which Boeing is building with its own money in partnership with Northrop Grumman, are capable of carrying 3,500 lb (1,587.7 kg) of fuel and are designed to reduce radar cross-section and minimise drag.
In addition to the tanks, Boeing's Advanced Super Hornet package includes other upgrade options such as a new General Electric F-414-400 enhanced-performance engine and an expanded electronic attack capability.
Boeing plans to make the upgrades available for the USN's existing F/A-18 Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleet, and is also marketing the upgrades to international customers.
According to Boeing, the conformal fuel tanks may have special appeal for use on the USN's Growler, an electronic attack aircraft, because they would free up space on the wing for the USN's plans to install a next-generation jammer (NGJ), designed to jam enemy radar and communications.
"We would expect the launch customer for the conformal fuel tank would be the US Navy, and probably for the Growler," said Mike Gibbons, Boeing's vice-president of F/A-18 Hornet and E/A-18G Growler programmes, told IHS Jane's in a recent interview.
The company told IHS Jane's that the conformal fuel tank development would be well-timed with the USN's plans to buy the NGJ in the next two years to replace the EA-18G's ageing ALQ-99 jammer.
The USN is currently the only military service to operate the EA-18G. However, Australian defence sources told IHS Jane's in November that the Royal Australian Air Force expects to receive the 12 Growler aircraft it has ordered starting in 2017.
Caitlin Lee, Washington, DC - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
22 December 2013
The USN's EA-18G Growler is a prime candidate for conformal fuel tanks, according to Boeing. Source: US Navy
Key Points
- Boeing believes that the US Navy's EA-18G Growler is a prime candidate for conformal fuel tanks
- The tanks would allow room on the wings for a next-generation jammer
The conformal fuel tanks, which Boeing is building with its own money in partnership with Northrop Grumman, are capable of carrying 3,500 lb (1,587.7 kg) of fuel and are designed to reduce radar cross-section and minimise drag.
In addition to the tanks, Boeing's Advanced Super Hornet package includes other upgrade options such as a new General Electric F-414-400 enhanced-performance engine and an expanded electronic attack capability.
Boeing plans to make the upgrades available for the USN's existing F/A-18 Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleet, and is also marketing the upgrades to international customers.
According to Boeing, the conformal fuel tanks may have special appeal for use on the USN's Growler, an electronic attack aircraft, because they would free up space on the wing for the USN's plans to install a next-generation jammer (NGJ), designed to jam enemy radar and communications.
"We would expect the launch customer for the conformal fuel tank would be the US Navy, and probably for the Growler," said Mike Gibbons, Boeing's vice-president of F/A-18 Hornet and E/A-18G Growler programmes, told IHS Jane's in a recent interview.
The company told IHS Jane's that the conformal fuel tank development would be well-timed with the USN's plans to buy the NGJ in the next two years to replace the EA-18G's ageing ALQ-99 jammer.
The USN is currently the only military service to operate the EA-18G. However, Australian defence sources told IHS Jane's in November that the Royal Australian Air Force expects to receive the 12 Growler aircraft it has ordered starting in 2017.
