Forum: General F-35 Forum

Never mind low band waves offer a much less granular picture. Never mind the little swarms of decoys entering the threat zone and cluttering up the big picture. Never mind the supporting cast members opening the curtains up for the walk out onto the big stage.

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I thought the EC-130 Compass Call was used to transmit radio "psyops" messages on Libyan maritime and broadcast radio, not actively jam radar.

As for the upgraded AMC on the F/A-18E/F & EA-18; that is what I was suggesting, although I didn't have the contract info at my fingertips. I just disagree with the "Growler wont be able to" part. It's quite upgradable. It might not be quite as integrated as the F-35, but with upgraded AMC and newer radar, but it'll be a substantial improvement over the current Block II configuration.

neurotech wrote:

I thought the EC-130 Compass Call was used to transmit radio "psyops" messages on Libyan maritime and broadcast radio, not actively jam radar.

As for the upgraded AMC on the F/A-18E/F & EA-18; that is what I was suggesting, although I didn't have the contract info at my fingertips. I just disagree with the "Growler wont be able to" part. It's quite upgradable. It might not be quite as integrated as the F-35, but with upgraded AMC and newer radar, but it'll be a substantial improvement over the current Block II configuration.

The NATO flights were calling for the CC and not for broadcast radio!

The Prowler (4 guys) and the Growler (2 guys) both go to the same EW tactics training. Similar but different hardware technology.
The Growler (2 guys) and the F-35 will be using the same EW tactics with different hardware technology.
The Growler and the SB are getting a bigger brain, it will be bigger that the F-35, that was bigger than the F-22....but will it be "Better??".. at EW (hopefully).
Usually you can design some system to be better than another but only if you build it. The Growler and F-35 complement each other. They will share "leap-frog" technologies unless the X-47 bumps one of them out of the "leap-frog" game.

EC-130E Commando Solo is the psyops bird.

Why haven't we seen any artwork of modified weapon bays doors and use of those bays for systems like the NGJ? In years past MCDO had artwork for a variety of systems to be carried in the CFT's of the F-15. Understand why in particular the NGJ is a podded system but just wondered why we haven't seen other reccee or EW systems integrated in that manner?

popcorn wrote:

EC-130E Commando Solo is the psyops bird.

PSYOP(no S)

[quote="spazsinbad///Australia's $1.5 billion ''Growler'' electronic warfare fleet ,,,its delivery in 2018..[/quote]

http://alert5.com/2010/09/24/boeing-com ... er-wiring/

Boeing completes production of 1st RAAF F/A-18F with Growler wiring

Boeing announced that it has completed production of the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet that has the capability to be converted into an electronic attack aircraft.
Smile

Australian Growler Crews Have A Heavy Workload Ahead by Richard_Dudley 07 Sep 2012

http://defense-update.com/20120907_ausi ... +Update%29

"Now that Australia has decided to convert a total of twelve of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) Boeing F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets to EA-18G Growler electronic warfare configuration, the RAAF aircrews assigned to fly the Growler can look forward to a long period of transition training before they’re qualified to manage the Growler’s unique idiosyncrasies....

...Boeing and the Navy are continuing their work on development of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ), a system that uses AESA technology to more-accurately focus jamming transmissions, to equip the EA-18Gs as a replacement for the failure-prone ALQ-99 jamming pods, but the NGJ is not expected to be available until 2018.

Good or bad, the EA-18G is the western world’s only AEA aircraft of the future as no alternative platform exists. For Australia, adding the Growlers to the RAAF’s fleet of Super Hornets is viewed as a necessary step in strengthening the nation’s airborne defense capability. The question to be answered is, can the American and Australian flyers learn to overcome the challenges they will face in handling the EA-18Gs known deficiencies? In modern aerial warfare combat comes fast and furious, far greater than anyone living has ever experienced. Will the aircrews be ready and can they do all that they must do to stay alive and return home successful?"

http://defense-update.com/wp-content/up ... velope.jpg

LONG article best read at source.

Interesting seeing all the "experts" telling all and sundry what RAAF is and isn't going to be doing with it's Growlers. For instance has anybody bothered to ask the RAAF? Some have and it has emerged that we will only be operating 6 operational Growlers, with the ability to grow to 12 "permanent" Growlers once the JSF comes online and takes over the air combat and strike roles the Super Hornet has primacy on at present.

If Australia orders additional Super Hornets, something being considered at present by our Government, then we "may" operate all 12 Growlers as soon as they are available. Until that is made, the decision will be for the lesser capability in support of our existing strike and air combat capability.

NAVAIR has issued a solicitation for companies interested in competing for the,Technology Development phase of the NGJ project. Perhaps we will see some of the companies involved in the earlier tech maturation stage i.e. NG, BAE, ITT, Raytheon decide to join forces to increase their chances of clinching the contract.

http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fu ... -12-R-0035

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s ... ;item=2454

Boeing Non-kinetic Missile Records 1st Operational Test Flight

CHAMP high-powered microwaves degrade or destroy electronic targets without collateral damage

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah, Oct. 22, 2012 -- A recent weapons flight test in the Utah desert may change future warfare after the missile successfully defeated electronic targets with little to no collateral damage.

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., successfully tested the Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) during a flight over the Utah Test and Training Range that was monitored from Hill Air Force Base.

CHAMP, which renders electronic targets useless, is a non-kinetic alternative to traditional explosive weapons that use the energy of motion to defeat a target.

During the test, the CHAMP missile navigated a pre-programmed flight plan and emitted bursts of high-powered energy, effectively knocking out the target's data and electronic subsystems. CHAMP allows for selective high-frequency radio wave strikes against numerous targets during a single mission.

"This technology marks a new era in modern-day warfare," said Keith Coleman, CHAMP program manager for Boeing Phantom Works. "In the near future, this technology may be used to render an enemy’s electronic and data systems useless even before the first troops or aircraft arrive."

CHAMP is a multiyear, joint capability technology demonstration that includes ground and flight tests.

....perhaps a feature in the EA/EW system Wink

US Navy's transition from Prowlers to Growlers proceeding smoothly By Dave Majumdar on November 18, 2012

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/the-d ... prowl.html

"...Basically, the US Navy and Boeing ported over the guts of the latest ICAP III version of the Prowler into the Super Hornet airframe--which, with the addition of an interference cancellation system (it allows Growler crews to communicate while jamming) and a vastly improved man-machine interface (and a few other improvements) resulted in the Growler.

The Growler, even with its two-man crew versus the four-man crew of the Prowler, offers vastly improved performance over the older machine, says Commander Chris Middleton, commander of the VAQ-129--the Prowler and Growler schoolhouse (Fleet Replenishment Squadron if you want get all formal about it). That's partly due to the Super Hornet's airframe qualities--such as speed, air-to-air capability (It retains the F/A-18E/F's AIM-120 AMRAAM--aka the Slammer--capability but not AIM-9X capability, though it does still retain dual JHMCS capability. It also it has no M61 20mm cannon), and Raytheon APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. But the EA-18G is also networked and has far better automated cockpit systems. That affords the pilot and naval flight officer in the back the ability sort through more targets with far greater confidence in the information gathered--and they can share it, Middleton says.

Nonetheless, the Growler still uses the Prowler's ALQ-99 jammer pods, which are from a bygone era. Eventually, Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pods will replace the ALQ-99 toward the end of the decade. It will feature active electronically scanned array antennas and, most likely, a lighter, more aerodynamically shaped pod. Potentially, the NGJ could allow the jet to fly supersonically with the pods attached. Currently, the ALQ-99 limits the EA-18G to Mach 0.95--however, the actual jamming mission is likely to still be flown at Mach 0.95 according to Navy sources. Also, the NGJ will only replace the mid-band ALQ-99 jammers; the ALQ-99's low-band jammer is actually in production and is relatively new....

...Incidentally, there are USAF crews flying alongside their USN and USMC brethren at Whidbey... Middleton says those crews are fully integrated into their operations and could even deploy with a USN squadron on a carrier. It's already happened, he says...."

Always good to read original article at URL above.

In the IRAQ war the americans just used an F111 with their large payload and range to carry an Electronic Warfare suite to disable enemy SAMs. Ironically Jullia Guillard has decided that the F18s are equivalent to the F111s and scrapped the F111s. All of which were serviced and in good condition. Now I guess they are replacing dedicated EW planes with the replacements for the [Link pending approval]

wilhelm wrote:

In the IRAQ war the americans just used an F111 with their large payload and range to carry an Electronic Warfare suite to disable enemy SAMs. Ironically Jullia Guillard has decided that the F18s are equivalent to the F111s and scrapped the F111s. All of which were serviced and in good condition. Now I guess they are replacing dedicated EW planes with the replacements for the F111s...

RAAF F111s were NOT "in good condition" when they were retired. The costs of operating them was getting expensive, almost exponentially so. This was after they RAAF went to AMARC to buy parts.

RAAF never flew EF-111 Ravens. They never flew any EW/EA jets before the EA-18G conversion. Countries like Israel are using non-US EA equipment on their jets.

The RAAF F/A-18Fs are being converted to EA-18Gs. Even though I think the RAAF should buy some more F/A-18Fs, buying new EA-18s wouldn't actually save that much.

At moment 6 RAAF Supers will be converted (wiring in place on 12 total already) with potential for 6 more if needed. 'Conan' has commented on this aspect in a recent thread. The plan is for a total of 100 F-35As for the RAAF with the Supers presumably sold back to the USN - BUT - as 'Conan' has pointed out it is likely that the 'RAAF Growlers' will remain to operate with the F-35s. All plans will be decided in the near/far future.

Forum: General F-35 Forum

NGJ Carried by F-35 Early Next Decade (Oz Growler Equip Buy)