EA-18G 'E-2' #522 BuNo 166642 being flown by VX-9 at Mission Employment Phase, Nellis AFB 6/7/08 Photo: Dan Stijovich

6/21/2008 - The Air Test & Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) "Vampires" have scaled up their operational evaluation of the new EA-18G "Growler" in preparation for the type's full entry into the fleet. The squadron recently made an appearance at the USAF Weapons School’s Mission Employment Phase exercise based at Nellis AFB, flying the majority of existing EA-18G aircraft built to date.

At this time there are six known aircraft flying as EA-18Gs, either as modified F/A-18Fs, or actual production EA-18Gs. The first two EA-18Gs produced and put into full time test duty with the USN are known as EA-1 and EA-2. Neither of these aircraft are actual production model EA-18Gs, but are instead technically considered NEA-18Gs. This designation is due to the fact that they were F/A-18Fs taken off the production line and modified by Boeing with the addition of EA-18G systems. The F/A-18F build numbers for these two Hornets were F-134 and F-135 respectively.

EA-18G 'E-1' #521 BuNo 166641 being flown by VX-9 at Mission Employment Phase, Nellis AFB 6/7/08 Photo: Dan Stijovich

EA-1 carries BuNo 166641 and was given side #521. This aircraft made its first flight from the Boeing St. Louis plant on 8/16/06, while wearing a paint scheme that included the rear half of its vertical stabs colored red, which it still displays to date. The red may have originally been applied with the idea that it would be displayed as a demo for VAQ-129 at some point. EA-1 was then delivered to VX-23 at NAS Patuxent River on 9/22/06 to begin testing with the USN.

EA-2 carries the BuNo 166642 and was given side #522. This second EA-18G demonstrator made its first flight from the Boeing St. Louis plant on 11/10/06. It was then delivered to VX-23 at Pax on 11/29/06. #522 was eventually sent to NAS China Lake during late 2007 and spent time with VX-31 there, conducting various systems tests. Neither EA-1 nor EA-2 currently wear any dedicated unit markings, and both are most likely still shared by VX-9 and VX-31 while based at China Lake.

EA-18G 'G-2' #552 BuNo 166856 being flown by VX-9 at Mission Employment Phase, Nellis AFB 6/7/08 Photo: Bruce Smith

Up to this point there have been four known EA-18G production models officially delivered to the USN. The first production aircraft was 'G-1'. This ship carries the BuNo 166855 and side #551. It left the factory wearing a basic gray scheme and the markings of 'NJ' VAQ-129. Although #550 (G-4) was displayed as the first 'official' production EA-18G delivered, #551 actually predates #550, because it was delivered to VX-23 at Pax on 9/10/07. This technically makes #551 the first production model delivered to the USN.

G-2 (second production model) carries the BuNo of 166856 and side #552. This ship left the factory wearing markings for 'NJ' VAQ-129, but has been flown with VX-9. #552 may have actually been delivered slightly later than G-3.

EA-18G 'G-3' #573 BuNo 166857 being flown by VX-9 at Mission Employment Phase, Nellis AFB 6/3/08 Photo: Bruce Smith

 

G-3 (third production model) carries the BuNo of 166857. This ship appears to have gone straight to VX-9, possibly sometime in May of 2008. Evidence shows that this aircraft was apparently delivered wearing 'NJ' VAQ-129 markings and the side #553, but was later repainted with the markings of VX-9 XE-573, which it wears now. This would seem to indicate that it will be staying in test duty for sometime.

G-4 (fourth production model) carries BuNo 166858 and side #550. It left the Boeing St. Louis factory wearing a special scheme that includes vertical stabs painted red and markings for VAQ-129. This aircraft was officially delivered to the USN at NAS Whidbey, with a ceremony conducted at the base on 6/3/08.

At this time, it appears that VX-9 is in control of four of these aircraft and using them for evaluation testing. #521, #522, #552 and #573 were recently spotted operating out of Nellis AFB during the USAF Weapons School’s Mission Employment Phase exercise during June of 2008. This was not the first time the Growler was brought to this exercise, as VX-9 had brought #521 and #522 to the Mission Employment Phase exercise that took place in December of 2007. At that  time they worked alongside EA-6B squadrons VAQ-138 and VAQ-140. This was the first time that the EA-18G, EA-6B (ICAP II) and EA-6B (ICAP III) all participated in a major joint exercise together.

If EA-18G production and testing follows the same patterns as the F/A-18E/F, VX-9 will most likely be rotating some of the latest EA-18 aircraft in and out of the unit as the production blocks progress.

Source: ©The North Spin