AN/ALQ-218

AN/ALQ-218
Radar warning receiver
Image of ALQ-218 on wingtip of EA-18G Growler aircraft AN/ALQ-218(V)2 on the wingtip of an EA-18G Growler
Manufacturing Info
Manufacturer(s)Northrop Grumman
Usage
Used by countryUnited States
Used by militaryUS Navy
Platform(s)EA-18G Growler

The AN/ALQ-218 is an American airborne electronic warfare radar warning receiver (RWR) system, found on Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.

In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/ALQ-218" designation represents the 218th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for special countermeasures equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense and some NATO electronic systems.

Description

The AN/ALQ-218 is an airborne passive radar warning receiver / electronic warfare support measures / electronic signals intelligence (RWR/ESM/ELINT) sensor system designed for airborne situational awareness and signal intelligence gathering. It detects, identifies, locates and analyzes sources of radio frequency emissions. The current version AN/ALQ-218(V)2 is manufactured by Northrop Grumman.

The AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) is able to integrate with AN/ALQ-218.

Platforms

The ALQ-218 is mainly featured aboard the US Navy's EA-18G Growler aircraft, which has replaced the EA-6B Prowler. The ALQ-218 was previously on the EA-6B Prowler, after which the Improved Capability III (ICAP III) ALQ-218 was modified and integrated into the EA-18G's Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) system. Avionics from the EA-6B were modified to fit into the gun bay and wing tip pods of the Growler.

The EA-18G may carry up to an additional five jamming pods on under wing pylons. The system is being considered for modification to serve on unmanned aerial vehicles. The Growler is part of the same family of aircraft as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

References

  1. ↑ "AN/ALQ-218 RWR/ESM/ELINT Sensor System". Northrop Grumman. Archived from the original on 7 July 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  2. ↑ "Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB)" (PDF). Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DOTE). Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  3. ↑ "EA-18G Growler Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft". U.S. Navy. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  4. ↑ "EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Aircraft". Naval Technology. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "EA-18G Growler". Navair (navy.mil). Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "EA-18G Growler (Electronic Attack Variant of F/A-18)" (PDF). Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DOTE). Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  7. ↑ "ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System". Navair.navy.mil. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.

See also