Navy plans to cut five expeditionary Growler squadrons

a reply to: mbkennel

They can do some jamming, but they can’t carry dedicated weapons like HARM, so SEAD/DEAD will require precision weapons, where the Growler can stand off farther. The EW/Escort mission won’t be as effective at times, as with a Growler, but in other cases it will be more effective, because they can get into places a Growler would be at high risk. In some ways it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other, but overall the Growler would be more effective, being a dedicated EW platform.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Montana

Nothing in the works. There are no EW UAVs currently. The Growler is the only dedicated tactical platform in our inventory. The Compass Call does stand off work, but putting a C-130 into the role is suicide.

the real question is how many manned EW craft are out there

a reply to: noscopebacon

Right now, two. Compass Call for large SOJ missions, and Growler for tactical stuff. The B-52 post engine upgrade will probably have enough power to act in the SOJ role, but they're not formally going ahead with that mission for them.

a reply to: Zaphod58

i know Turkey is building out a gulfstream for such a thing so for sure a B52 would be enough.

people are seeing odd lights 'darting around' the sky in Ukraine and i THINK last week Putin stepped up the EW and signals processing as well as jamming.

They never said if it was a ground platform or something they cannibalized various aircraft and put it together for such a role.

i would assume its ground based seeing as Russia cant keep stuff in the air in Ukraine

other than the large power consumption of such aircraft i would try and hide it in a
'civilian' aircraft.


The last time i spoke to my friend he said sometimes at night there are things in the sky but no response as far as i know to attempt to bring it down.


i think the US MIGHT reach in to its black bag to watch Russia and their nuclear forces', i would if i was one of the JCOS or the President. I would want to know exactly where they are and what they are doing.

Russia really let me down i thought we were going to see some of their black bag(if they have anything to pull).