RAAF to give electronic attack aircraft more bite

One of Australia’s most potent fighter jets, the EA-18G Growler, will become even more capable under a $2bn upgrade program.

The Boeing-made EA-18G Growler is designed to ‘blind’ enemy aircraft and guided missiles by taking out adversaries’ radar and communications systems.

One of Australia’s most potent fighter jets, the EA-18G Growler, will become even more capable with the commencement of a $2bn program to upgrade the electronic attack aircraft and hone the skills of its pilots.

In the first phase of the ­“Advanced Growler” program, Defence has signed a $277m contract with Australian-owned CEA Technologies to provide advanced radar capabilities at the nation’s electronic warfare training ranges.

Subsequent contracts will deliver the next-generation Jammer weapon system, sensor upgrades, and new longer-range missiles to destroy enemy radar systems.

Australia is the only country other than the US to operate the Boeing-made Growler, which is based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet and designed to “blind” enemy aircraft and guided missiles by taking out adversaries’ radar and communications systems.

The upgrades will ensure Australia’s 11 Growlers have the same capabilities as US models, which are already undergoing similar works.

The new CEA Technologies contract will include fixed and portable radar emitters to support Growler pilot training at Am­berley, near Brisbane, and the ­Delamere Air Training Area, near Katherine, in the Northern ­Territory.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the government would work as closely as possible with Australian defence companies throughout the life of the project. “I’m proud that this project will continue to develop Aus­tralia’s own CEA Technologies, a world-leading radar technology company,” Mr Conroy said.

“We are delivering leading edge technology that the RAAF needs to face an increasingly ­complex and uncertain strategic environment.”

Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Malcolm Davis said the Growler was the world’s most advanced electronic attack aircraft, but it was important to continue upgrading the platform to ensure that it retained its edge over China’s J-16D “Roaring Wolf” electronic warfare jet.

“The adversary is constantly enhancing their electronic warfare capabilities and their command and control, Dr Davis said.

“So we need to keep pace in that competition.”

Dr Davis said electronic warfare and attack capabilities were vital in modern air combat to ­defeat an enemy’s integrated air defence system.

“That means taking down their radars and their command and control communication systems,” he said.

“The Growler gives you the ability to strike electronically, at range, at those systems, rather than firing kinetic weapons.

“Obviously the Growler can carry kinetic weapons such as high speed anti-radiation missiles, but its most potent capabilities are non-kinetic.”

Australian Strategic Policy Institute senior analyst Malcolm Davis.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. Picture: Defence Imagery/Kym Smith

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the investment would ensure that Australia continued to have the best-available electronic attack capability, to protect friendly forces and make them more lethal.

“Defence continues to invest in this key electronic attack platform, which will ensure the EA-18G Growler remains capable of delivering lethal and potent ­effects for Australia,” Mr Marles said.

Australia’s fleet of Growlers was reduced from 12 with the loss of an almost-new airframe during a runway accident in the US in 2018.

The aircraft skidded and burst into flames following an engine malfunction during an attempted takeoff at a US military base in Nevada.

The pilot and electronic warfare officer were unharmed.

An order has been placed to replace the aircraft with a second-hand US Navy Growler at a cost of $180m.

Australian officials sought compensation for the lost aircraft from the US but the attempt was rebuffed.