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Boeing, U.S. Navy integrate tablet on EA-18 Growler

By Ryan Maass
The U.S. Navy's recent demonstration with Boeing integrated a Windows-based tablet into the mission system for the EA-18 electronic attack aircraft for the first time. Photo courtesy of Boeing
The U.S. Navy's recent demonstration with Boeing integrated a Windows-based tablet into the mission system for the EA-18 electronic attack aircraft for the first time. Photo courtesy of Boeing

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy and Boeing integrated a Windows-based tablet with a EA-18G Growler's mission system in a recent demonstration of new targeting technologies.

The tablet was integrated with the electronic attack aircraft's mission system along with an advanced targeting processor, high-bandwidth data link, and an open architecture. Following the integration, the aircraft showed an an enhanced ability to detect targets from long distances, and rapid information sharing capability.

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"This enhanced targeting capability provides our aircrews with a significant advantage, especially in an increasingly dense threat environment where longer-range targeting is critical to the fight," said Capt. David Kindley, U.S. Navy F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager in a statement.

Boeing officials say the process will be replicated on more EA-18 Growlers, eventually becoming a standard offering on new aircraft in production.

"This long-range targeting technology is essential as we advance electronic attack capabilities for the conflicts of today and tomorrow," Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G programs vice president Dan Gillian said of the new technology.

The U.S. Navy's EA-18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft combining the F/A-18F Super Hornet platform with an advanced electronic warfare suite. The craft featres ALF-99 jamming pods, communication countermeasures, the ALQ-218 receiver, and satellite communication capabilities.

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