Boeing partnered with the U.S. Navy to present its state-of-the-art EA-18G Growler fighter jet for the first time in Finland at the Finnish Air Force’s 100th anniversary air show in Jyväskylä on June 16-17, 2018.
The jets, assigned to the Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) based out of Whidbey Island in Washington, were on static display and performed a flying demonstration. VAQ-129 is the Navy squadron that trains pilots to fly the Growler.
According to the company, the Growler, which is based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet airframe, is the most advanced airborne electronic attack platform in the world. The aircraft already provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to U.S. military forces and allies around the world, including Australia, which is the first country to have been offered these attack aircraft by the U.S.
Boeing designed the Growler to help air forces reach their targets without being detected. Because it's based off a multirole fighter, the aircraft carries more pylons, allowing it to be equipped with a variety of conventional and electronic warfare weapons—such as radio-frequency jamming pods—as well as additional avionics, enhanced radio frequency receivers and improved communications capabilities. Jammers can blind radars while air-to-surface missiles destroy targets, and air-to-air weapons allow it to take on enemy fighters.
The success of the Super Hornet and the Growler has had a positive impact on Boeing’s bottom line. The company recently won a $22.6-million contract from the U.S. Navy and the government of Australia to maintain and modernize their fleets of the aircraft. This will address obsolescence issues for the Super Hornet.
Boeing is already one of the strongest players in the defense sector. The company has benefited from strong demand for its fighter aircraft and major aerospace programs, including the F-18 and EA-18 aircraft. This is evident from the contract that it secured earlier this year from Kuwait for 28 F-18 Super Hornets—valued at $1.2 billion.
Boeing has a long and productive relationship with the Finnish Air Force. It hopes to continue its partnership by offering the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for the country’s HX fighter program, which will introduce new multirole fighters to the country’s air defense fleet.
Read more about the global demand for cutting-edge military aircraft at Japan Wants a Fifth-Gen Fighter—Will the U.S. Help?