Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Wednesday broke ground on a new EA-18G Growler Support Center (GSC) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., that will provide technical and logistics support for the U.S. Navy's premier airborne electronic attack aircraft.

The center is scheduled to open in May 2008, shortly before the first EA-18G arrives at Whidbey Island, the aircraft's homeport. The Hornet/Growler Support Network also operates centers at Naval Air Stations Lemoore, Calif., and Oceana, Va. The centers, part of a Navy-industry logistics support plan, help lower total ownership costs for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler.

"It is fitting that we break ground today [Halloween] on a facility that supports an aircraft that will haunt our enemies for years to come," said Capt. Gerral David, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

The 4,400 sq.-ft. modular building will house approximately 24 representatives from the Navy and the Hornet/Growler industry team of Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and General Electric. The GSC, along with the base's existing supply chain management facility, will ensure that logistics support for new Growlers is readily available. The Boeing F/A-18E/F Integrated Readiness Support Teaming program will manage the supply chain management facility, accommodating bulk, palletized and bin part storage as well as shipping, receiving and packaging for F/A-18E/F and EA-18G spares.

Boeing, acting as the weapon system integrator and prime contractor for the EA-18G, leads the Growler industry team. Northrop Grumman is the principal subcontractor and airborne electronic attack subsystem integrator. The Hornet/Growler industry team divides EA-18G production across Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Electric and Raytheon manufacturing facilities. Naval Air Systems Command PMA-265 is the U.S. Navy acquisition office for the EA-18G.