Article Posted on : - Mar 19, 2012

EA-18G Growler. A Boeing photo.

ST. LOUIS (BNS): Boeing has completed delivery of the US Navy's first aircraft acquired through the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Multi-Year Procurement (MYP) III contract, ahead of schedule.

Aircraft G-57, an EA-18G Growler, was the first of 148 F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs that the Navy will purchase through the contract. The aircraft was delivered to the Navy on 26 January and arrived at its home base at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on 30 January.

On 28 September 2010, the Navy awarded Boeing the MYP III contract for delivery of 66 F/A-18E/Fs and 58 EA-18Gs, to be purchased through 2013.

The Navy has since expanded the contract with the addition of 24 F/A-18E/Fs. The Navy has the option to procure up to 194 F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs under the MYP III contract terms.

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a low observable, multirole aircraft. Boeing has delivered more than 480 aircraft to the US Navy.

The EA-18G Growler is the only air combat platform that delivers full-spectrum airborne electronic attack capability along with the targeting and self-defence capabilities derived from the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet.