EA-18G Conducts First AIM-120 Live Fire Test | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.22.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.16.24

Airborne-FlightTraining-04.17.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers-04.18.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.19.24

Join Us At 0900ET, Friday, 4/10, for the LIVE Morning Brief.
Watch It LIVE at
www.airborne-live.net

Fri, Aug 08, 2008

EA-18G Conducts First AIM-120 Live Fire Test

Growler's Bite Matches Its Bark

The Growler has teeth. The EA-18G Test Team at NAWCWD China Lake conducted its first AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-To-Air Missile (AMRAAM) live fire on July 23, marking another critical milestone for the Growler test program.

The EA-18G is an electronic attack variant of the F/A-18F undergoing developmental test as an eventual replacement for the EA-6B Prowler. In addition to being the first AIM-120 firing, this event marked the first release of any ordnance off the versatile platform.

As part of the integrated test and evaluation of the aircraft, the Growler test team comprised of both developmental and operational testers executed a successful shot, demonstrating a lethal, self-contained air-to-air capability that the electronic attack community has previously relied on other aircraft to provide.

The live fire flight was flown by Lt. Jeff Millar, a VX-9 pilot from a Hornet background, and Lt. Elizabeth Somerville, a VX-31 electronic countermeasures officer/weapon systems officer from a Prowler background. Invaluable support was provided by Boeing maintenance and test personnel, VX-31 ordnance, the Point Mugu and China Lake AMRAAM project team, China Lake range safety and range control as well as the entire EA-18G test team.

While jamming threat systems located at Echo range, the Growler engaged and fired on the BQM-74E target drone. Airborne chase cameras as well as optical trackers on the target drone confirmed safe weapon separation followed by a very close pass to the target drone, scored by range personnel as a hit.

FMI: www.navair.navy.mil

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.20.24): Light Gun

Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.20.24)

"The journey to this achievement started nearly a decade ago when a freshly commissioned Gentry, driven by a fascination with new technologies and a desire to contribute significan>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.21.24)

Aero Linx: JAARS, Inc. For decades now, we’ve landed planes on narrow rivers and towering mountains. We’ve outfitted boats and vehicles to reach villages that rarely se>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.21.24)

"Our driven and innovative team of military and civilian Airmen delivers combat power daily, ensuring our nation is ready today and tomorrow." Source: General Duke Richardson, AFMC>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.21.24): Aircraft Conflict

Aircraft Conflict Predicted conflict, within EDST of two aircraft, or between aircraft and airspace. A Red alert is used for conflicts when the predicted minimum separation is 5 na>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC