Boeing is increasingly confident that the US Navy will award a follow-on order for more EA-18G Growlers, even as the programme begins the first two years of full-rate production.
"There is likely to be an additional Growler requirement to support expeditionary [airborne electronic attack] beyond the current programme of record," Boeing told Flight International.
Boeing officials previously estimated that the USN could buy as many as 26 to 30 EA-18Gs in addition to 88 aircraft already scheduled.
So far, Boeing has delivered 16 EA-18Gs to the USN, with 18 more to be delivered by the end of 2010.
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On 30 November, the USN awarded Boeing the first of two full-rate production contracts for 22 aircraft each. Boeing received a $386 million contract to deliver 22 electronic attack kits in fiscal year 2011, plus 22 more in FY2012. Each kit includes the Northrop Grumman improved capability-III (ICAP-III) electronic warfare system, which includes receivers and jammers for radar and communications emitters.
The USN also plans to place an order for 10 more EA-18Gs in FY2012, which would complete the Growler production line unless more aircraft are ordered.
The potential follow-on order, if approved by the USN, could extend production to the end of FY2013 or FY2014.
Source: Flight International