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Possible FMS for 12 EA-18G Modification Kits to Australia

23 Mei 2012

EA-18G Growler (photo : Militaryphotos)

WASHINGTON – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia for 12 EA-18G Modification Kits to convert F/A-18F aircrafts to the G configuration and associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.7 billion.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of 12 EA-18G Modification Kits to convert F/A-18F aircrafts to G configuration, (34) AN/ALQ-99F(V) Tactical Jamming System Pods, (22) CN-1717/A Interference Cancellation Systems (INCANS), (22) R-2674(C)/A Joint Tactical Terminal Receiver (JTTR) Systems, (30) LAU-118 Guided Missile Launchers, Command Launch Computer (CLC) for High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) and Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government (USG) and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $1.7 billion.

Australia is an important ally in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region. Australia’s efforts in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations have made a significant impact to regional political and economic stability and have served U.S. national security interests. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.

The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability in current and future coalition efforts. Australia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this new capability into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be The Boeing Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

(DSCA)

Long Lead Item Equipment for Growler Purchase

29 Maret 2012

Twelve F/A-18E/F will be converted to the Growler configuration (photo : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government would spend more than $19 million to purchase long lead item electronic equipment for the potential conversion of twelve of Australia’s F-18 Super Hornet’s to the EA-18G Growler variant.

In 2009, the Government made the decision to wire 12 Super Hornets for potential conversion to the Growler configuration at a cost of $35 million.

Growler is an electronic warfare system that gives the Super Hornet the ability to jam the electronics systems of aircraft and land-based radars and communications systems. The Growler electronic warfare aircraft was used very effectively by the United States Navy during air operations in Libya last year.

The long lead items are systems and equipment that are required for any potential conversion of Australia’s existing Super Hornets and include:
-Electronic systems;
-Antennas; and
-High Frequency modulation receivers

The decision to purchase this equipment has been made now to ensure Australia continues to have potential access to the Growler technology. A final decision on whether Australia converts some of its Super Hornets to Growler configuration will be made after exhaustive assessment by the Government this year. This purchase ensures Australia will continue to have access to specific technologies needed to make any such conversion.

The purchase of this equipment is being made through the United States Foreign Military Sales process. As part of this process, a Letter of Request formally requesting the purchase has been delivered to the United States.

If Australia converts some of its Super Hornets to Growler configuration it will be the only country in the world, other than the United States, operating such aircraft.

(Aus DoD)

$200m Refit to Give Fighter Jets Growl

22 Februari 2012

Boeing EA-18G Growler (image : FlightGlobal)

THE Federal Government will spend more than $200 million to transform six air force fighter jets into hi-tech electronic warfare planes.

The RAAF purchased 24 Boeing Super Hornet fighters under a $6 billion deal with the US Navy to fill the gap between the retirement of the F-111 fighter bomber and the expected delivery of the first batch of 14 Joint Strike Fighter stealth jets later this decade.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith will announce the decision to upgrade the jet fighters early next month to EA-18G models known as "Growlers" to plug an emerging air combat capability gap.

The G-model entered service with the US Navy in 2008 and it allows attacking forces to detect and jam enemy radars to protect friendly aircraft from all known surface-to-air missile threats.

The Growler is the launch platform for the "Next Generation Jammer" that uses advanced radar technology from Northrop Grumman to conduct precision jamming.

Australia purchased 12 Super Hornet fighters wired for the Growler upgrade during the production process at a cost of $35 million. Retro fitting has never been attempted before and will cost between $200 million and $300 million.

News Limited understands that the first aircraft will be converted at the Boeing factory in St Louis and the remainder at Amberley RAAF base near Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Mr Smith is facing criticism from air force brass for his move to buy 12 more Super Hornets to cover the likely delay into service of up to 70 Australian JSFs.

A decision is due by September this year, but the RAAF is arguing against more Super Hornets because they fear that will leave less funds for Joint Strike Fighters.

"The RAAF doesn't want to run two types of fighter jets," a source said. Mr Smith told theAustralian Defence Magazine congress in Canberra yesterday that Defence would be expected to deliver a further contribution from its $27 billion budget to the government's quest for a surplus this year.

"The current 2012-13 Budget process will also examine whether Defence is able to make a further contribution to the Government's Budget bottom line," he said.

Defence budget analyst Mark Thomson said Mr Smith had taken a "shot across the bow" of Defence before the May budget. "They will be going through this budget with a finetooth comb," he said.

(Adelaide Now)

Defence Given Lift-Off to Buy Growler Warplanes

08 September 2010

EA-18G Growler (photo : Navytimes)

WASHINGTON has given the go-ahead for Australia to buy the EA-18G "Growler" electronic warfare aircraft.

It is the most advanced warplane of its type in the world, defence industry sources said yesterday.

The Australian understands the decision was made about a fortnight ago by the US Technology, Transfer, Security Assistance, Review Board (TTSARB), a decision that could pave the way for the first foreign military sale of the Growler, defence sources said.

TTSARB rules on potential foreign sales of sensitive high-end US military equipment. Its decision follows last year's request by the Rudd government to have 12 F/A-18F Super Hornets, half a 24-plane order for the RAAF, configured on Boeing's assembly line for a possible Growler upgrade.

Australia bought 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets -- described by its maker as the world's best multi-role fighter -- in a $6 billion deal to acquire a "bridging capability" to cover the retirement of its ageing fleet of F-111 strike aircraft.

The Super Hornet is regarded as a 4.5 generation aircraft ahead of a $16bn order for a so-called fifth-generation aircraft, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

(The Australian)

Canberra to Delay Decision on Growler Upgrade for F/A-18Fs

19 Februari 2010

EA-18G Growler (photo : FlightGlobal)

Australia may not immediately convert its 12 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets that are being wired for the E/A-18G Growler electronic-attack configuration and could receive them in their original standard instead.

The aircraft - drawn from a 24-strong order - are being wired so that they can be converted in Australia, but the government and the Royal Australian Air Force are not about to make a decision.

"There is an acknowledgement that we need a fighter that will perform non-kinetic electronic attack roles, and the [Super Hornet] fighters could fit that role," says Gp Capt Steve Robertson, head of the RAAF's air combat transition wing and officer commanding its Super Hornet wing. "But we could take all 24 aircraft in the Super Hornet configuration and then convert some of them into Growlers at a later stage. It will not be a simple task, but we will have the capability to do it."

Robertson says Australia's strategy is something that the US Navy is considering as well. "They realise that this is a good option to consider as you refine your requirements," he adds.

Industry sources say that the decision to convert the Super Hornets into Growlers could also depend on when the RAAF takes delivery of its Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. While it is scheduled to receive its first aircraft in 2014, there remain worries that this could be delayed because of ongoing problems with the programme.

Such a delay could result in Canberra ordering another 12-24 Super Hornets, allowing it to convert some from the initial batch into Growlers while retaining its air combat capability.

But Robertson says there is no indication of whether there will be an order for additional Super Hornets. "The government has to make that decision," he says. "The focus is now on getting the Super Hornets in service and looking at getting the F-35s on board on time."

(Flight International)

See Also :

Australia Plans for Longer Service Life with Super Hornet Fleet

18 Februari 2010

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet (photo : Boeing)

Australia envisages that its Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets, which will begin entering service from March, could become a "long bridge" for an air force capability gap, and remain operational well into the 2030s.

Canberra has ordered 24 of the two-seat aircraft to cover a capability shortfall between the retirement of the Royal Australian Air Force's General Dynamics F-111s by year-end and the induction of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, projected to take place from 2014.

However, they could stay in use much longer, says Gp Capt Steve Robertson, head of the service's air combat transition wing and officer commanding the Super Hornet wing.

"The aircraft is on time, on budget and over-delivering on capability," says Robertson. "The Super Hornet is giving us flexibility and options, and will be combat-relevant up to the next generation. While we have forecast that they will be operational up until the 2020s, the US Navy plans to use them until the 2030s and there is no reason why we can't do the same."

Australia is due to take delivery of around four Super Hornets in the first quarter and 12 in total this year, when it also aims to declare initial operating capability. Its remaining aircraft, which will also be wired for possible conversion to the E/A-18G electronic-attack configuration, will be delivered by 2012.

With the RAAF already operating older F/A-18A/B Hornets, Robertson says the service has bought the "most easy platform that it could adapt to". The new model "has the same philosophy as the classic Hornets, but with more capability", he adds.

"The Super Hornet has increased performance and better flight sensor suites than anything in the Australian Defence Force. With Australia's network-centric capability it can perform a maritime strike role if needed, but it can also take on the air combat role. This is a true multirole fighter that it is built to perform almost any mission," says Robertson - one of the first Australians trained to fly the F/A-18F.

The RAAF's support model for the Super Hornet taps on the US Navy's capabilities, and Boeing says it is working with its launch export customer to develop the in-country systems needed to maintain its fleet.

"We have had to work out which roles are better for the RAAF and which are better for Boeing," says Robertson. "But that is a much better system than what we've had before."

With preparations for the type's introduction having run for more than a year, Robertson says the air force has learned several important lessons - some of which could be vital for potential other regional customers such as India and potentially Japan.

"There is a great deal to do to get everything ready - including the infrastructure and the workforce - to induct a new-generation multirole combat aircraft. The type of training and specialisation needed is totally different from, say, the F-111 or the classic Hornets. It requires a lot of work to ensure that we are prepared."

Engaging the community is also important, he points out, saying that officials from air base Amberley have been working with their neighbours to ensure that there is little impact from noise pollution.

"We have used the Super Hornet as a community consultation process," Robertson says. "A noise flightpath system is now in place, and we did that with them. Their support will be evident in a few weeks, when we believe several hundred of them will come out to welcome the aircraft."

(Flight International)

Raytheon Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer Completes First Free-Flight Test

15 Januari 2010

MALD-J (photo : letecti)

TUCSON, -- The U.S. Air Force and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed the first free-flight test of the Miniature Air Launched Decoy-Jammer. The completion of this flight test sets the stage for a critical design review in 2010 and the conclusion of Phase II risk reduction.

The MALD-J™ adds radar-jamming capability to the basic MALD platform. MALD is a state-of-the-art, low-cost flight vehicle that is modular, air-launched and programmable. It weighs less than 300 pounds and has a range of approximately 500 nautical miles (about 575 statute miles).

MALD-J in flight (photo : Raytheon)

"Achieving this milestone proves MALD-J has a technology readiness level 7 and sets the stage for the system to enter engineering and manufacturing development," said Ken Watson, the U.S. Air Force's MALD program manager.

MALD-J recently completed numerous captive carry test missions and a milestone C decision - the decision to go into production - is expected in early 2011.

"The modular MALD-J gives the warfighter expendable, stand-in jamming capability," said Scott Muse, Raytheon's MALD program director. "MALD-J will eliminate or reduce the need to send aircrews into danger to conduct suppression of enemy air defense missions."

(Raytheon)

Australia to Wire F/A-18Fs for Growler Upgrade

27 Februari 2009

E/A-18G Growler-electronic attack aircraft (photo : Boeing)

Australia has decided that 12 of the 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets it has ordered will be wired for electronic attack capabilities while they are still on the production line, allowing it to upgrade the aircraft to the US Navy's E/A-18G Growler configuration at a later date if it wishes to.

“Wiring 12 of the Super Hornets as Growlers will give us the opportunity to provide taxpayers with better value for money,” says defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon. “If finally pursued, the relatively small investment will significantly enhance the Super Hornet’s capability by giving electronic attack capacity and therefore the ability to nullify the systems of opposing aircraft.”

The wiring will add A$35 million ($23 million) to the A$6.6 billion that Canberra agreed to pay for 24 Super Hornets in early 2007. If all 12 aircraft were eventually converted into Growlers, it would cost an additional A$300 million. A final decision will not be required until around 2012, says the defence ministry.

The E/A-18G remains in operational test for the USN, but initial operational capability is expected shortly. The Growler is essentially an F/A-18E/F fitted with ITT ALQ-99 radar jamming pods and an interference cancellation system, Northrop Gruman ALQ-218(V)2 radio frequency receiver and Raytheon ALQ-227 communication countermeasures suite for electronic surveillance.

The Growler system (image : Militaryphotos)

The modifications will give Australia the option to “significantly enhance” its aircraft, Fitzgibbon says. “It will also provide the Super Hornets with counter-terrorism capability through the ability to shut down the ground-based communications and bomb triggering devices of terrorists,” he adds.

Fitzgibbon meanwhile criticised the previous Australian Government that made the original order for not considering Growlers initially. John Howard's administration, which placed the order after deciding to retire Canberra's General Dynamics F-111 fleet and to provide a stop-gap ahead of the delivery of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, lost the 2007 general elections.

“It was apparent that the Howard government didn’t properly anticipate the need to retire the F-111 in 2010,” says Fitzgibbon (below). “If they had taken a more prudent approach in making the Super Hornet decision rather than rushing to fill their impending air combat capability gap, they may have realised that this was a more effective approach to take.”

Boeing is also considering a so-called “Growler lite” export version of the E/A-18G, which can be delivered without the radar jamming pods and interference cancellation system. The initiative targets international customers who are keener on the aircraft’s enhanced awareness capabilities than the Growler’s electronic attack aspects. Australia, Brazil, India and Japan are some of the potential customers for the Super Hornet and the Growler.

(Flight International)

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