EA-18G Growler by Academy
1/72 scale
Kit No. 12560
Retail: $35.00
Decals: Three versions – two for U.S. Navy Squadron VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks,” and one for RAAF
Comments: Detailed cockpit, engraved panel lines, abundant recessed rivet detail, external drop tanks and ALQ-99 tactical jamming ECM pods; AIM-120 missiles included
History
The EA-18G Growler, an advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform, is a variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet, providing tactical jamming and electronic protection to U.S. military forces and allies around the world. Among other features, the Growler provides critical electronic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data to other joint force aircraft.
Combining the F-18 platform with a sophisticated electronic warfare suite, it is built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, and is the first newly-designed electronic warfare aircraft produced in over 35 years. The aircraft also retains all of the F/A-18E/F’s multi-mission capabilities with its validated design and the capability to perform a wide range of enemy defense suppression missions.
The delivery of the first aircraft dates to June 3, 2008, when the first Growler was delivered to the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in the US state of Washington. Full-rate production of this aircraft followed in 2009, and by 2010, three squadrons, VAQ-132, 141, and 138, had already replaced the Prowler with the Growler and were declared safe for flight.
In 2014, Boeing Aircraft was awarded a contract to manufacture 12 Growlers for the Royal Australian Air Force under a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US Navy. Since this acquisition, Australia has since become the first country to be offered such a level of technology by the US. With the addition of the 12 Growlers to their fleet, the RAAF benefits from unmatched electronic awareness and attack capabilities.
Capabilities
- Provides critical electronic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data to other joint force aircraft
- Combines a fighter aircraft speed and maneuverability with an electronic combat aircraft
- Can protect itself with AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
- Offers enhanced reader image resolution, targeting, and tracking range by employing its APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array
(AESA) radar system - Offers uninterrupted radio communications in a heavily jammed environment due to its Interference Cancellation System
- Ability to locate, record, playback, and digitally jam enemy communications over a broad frequency range due its ALQ-227 Communications Countermeasures Set
- Provides advanced survivability and electronic protection for ground, air, and maritime combat forces
- High degree of reliability and low operating costs
The EA-18G got its baptism of fire during Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya in 2011. Of all the US Navy Expeditionary VAQ squadrons, four uniquely support the US Air Force and US Navy shore-based operations. All EA-18G squadrons are based at NAS Whidbey Island. There is just one exception: squadron VAQ-141, attached to CVW-5, Forward Deployed Naval Force, which (as of Spring 2024) is based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan.
One of the main external characteristics is that wideband receiver pods on the EA-18G Growler replace the wingtip air-to-air missiles typically seen on the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Other hardpoints, however, carry a mix of electronic warfare pods and weapons. The Growler’s cockpit seats two people, the pilot, and a weapon systems officer. The crew station features a touch-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) mission systems control and display, 8in x 10in (203mm x 23mm) full-color tactical LCD, and two multipurpose 5in x 5in (127mm x 127mm) LCDs. All displays provide tactical aircraft moving map capability (TAMMAC).
The Growler has hands-on throttle and stick control and full digital fly-by-wire controls. A helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS) is also available. The HMCS provides “first-look, first-shot” high off-boresight weapons engagement capability. This means the pilot can direct or cue the weapons against the enemy while performing different maneuvers. All the pilots need to do is point their heads at the target, and weapons will automatically be directed to the target. All aircraft and performance parameters are displayed on the pilot’s visor.
The Kit
Academy’s EA-18G Growler is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 137 parts, including a one-piece canopy. The cockpit and wheel wells are richly detailed with raised relief, particularly on the main “all-glass” instrument panels and the side panels in the cockpit tub. The seats are likewise well-detailed with a sophisticated looking control yoke for the pilot, and a detailed instrument panel hood for the Electronic Warfare Officer.
Once the upper and lower wings are assembled, there are parts to be cemented to the wingtips in place of rails and Sidewinder missiles that make this an EA-18 rather than the standard F/A-18: the ALQ-218 wingtip pods. The ALQ-218 is an airborne electronic warfare radar warning receiver (RWR) system, responsible for electronic warfare support measures as well as electronic signals intelligence. In addition, the two ALQ-99 pods to be cemented to the wings outboard of the drop tanks represent the EA-18’s airborne integrated jamming system, previously deployed with the Grumman EA-6B Prowler.
Parts are provided for four AIM-120 air-toair medium range missiles, but they are not acknowledged in the kit instructions. Nonetheless, there is a third hard point station on the under surface of the wings outboard of where the ALQ-99 pods are positioned. Modelers will have a choice of adding two more ALQ-99 pods, for a total of four, or cementing on two AIM-120 missiles for air defense. For those inclined to use aftermarket parts, the EA-18G can also carry AGM-88 air-to-ground anti-radiation missiles on the same hard points. The kit features partial intake trunking with detailed intake and exhaust fans. Its separate nose cone may require some skill at seam hiding.
Markings
Decals are provided for one of two aircraft: One is from the U.S. Navy’s VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks,” an electronic warfare squadron aircraft depicted during two different deployments. The first is during a 2010 cruise aboard the U.S.S. George H.W. Bush. The second is for a cruise aboard the U.S.S. George Washington in 2013. There is no difference between the two in terms of markings, as they represent the same aircraft at different points in time. It is painted in a scheme of overall Dark Gull Grey over Light Gull Grey undersurfaces, with a still lighter shade of grey on the nose, and a single Black flash along the upper center fuselage, extending from the anti-glare panel area forward of the cockpit tapering to a point between the twin vertical tails, which are also painted Black.
The second is for Bu. No. 169153, an aircraft of No. 6 Squadron of the Royal Austrailian Air Force, circa 2015. It too is painted in a scheme of overall Dark Gull Grey over Light Gull Grey undersurfaces, with a still lighter shade of grey on the nose. Overall the decals are crisply done with no bleed, well-detailed with realistic color and a nice semi-gloss finish, clearly designed to compete with any aftermarket competition.
Conclusion
This is an excellent kit of a current electronic warfare aircraft deployed by the U.S. Navy. The kit appears to be well engineered, with very simple construction building up into a detailed kit, right down to the array of blade sensors to the added in the latter stages of construction. Highly recommended.
References
- https://www.navy.mil
- https://simpleflying.com