Boeing Completes Back-to-Back Flight Demonstrations of EA-18G Concept Aircraft
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed two more successful flight demonstrations of its EA-18G Airborne Electronic Attack, or AEA, concept aircraft. During the demonstrations on August 20 and 22, an F/A-18F Super Hornet carrying three ALQ-99 jamming pods and two fuel tanks measured noise, vibration, data loads and assessed aircraft flying qualities.
The EA-18G is one of the platforms under consideration to replace the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft. The U.S. Navy has an operational need to begin replacing the Prowler by 2008.
"We've completed five flight demonstrations so far," said Paul Summers, Boeing EA-18G program manager. "With each flight we've systematically expanded the carriage envelope with the ALQ-99 jamming pods. Our flight program has taken us to 30,000 feet and 0.9 times the speed of sound, further validating our concept and our capability to perform the airborne electronic attack mission."
The first two flight demonstrations took place in late 2001, with the third taking place in early 2002. Northrop Grumman, Boeing's teammate, instrumented the ALQ-99 jamming pods to gather the noise and vibration information.
Boeing began exploring the possibility of modifying the F/A-18F for the AEA mission in 1993. Since then, Boeing has performed detailed design activities, conducted full-scale antenna range testing and wind-tunnel tests. The U.S. Navy recently completed initial full-spectrum electromagnetic compatibility testing of an F/A-18 Super Hornet with radiating ALQ-99 pods. In addition, more than 450 Navy and Marine Corps aircrew have been through the manned cockpit simulator in St. Louis. Aircrew feedback has been used to refine the EA-18G crew vehicle interface concept.
The EA-18G will perform full-spectrum electronic surveillance and attack of enemy threat radars and communications nets. A derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet -- a platform which is in production today -- the EA-18G leverages the U.S. Navy's investment in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet platform and Northrop Grumman's Improved Capability III electronic attack system, which significantly reduces risk over unproven platforms and systems.
The EA-18G is more than 90 percent common with the Super Hornet and is expected to significantly reduce support and training costs for the U.S. Navy.
The combination of a validated design, proven platform and proven electronics positions the EA-18G program to begin a System Development and Demonstration phase in 2004, with aircraft in the fleet as early as 2009.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
###
02-76
For further information: