| AN/ALQ-218 |
The AN/ALQ-218 is an American airborne electronic warfare radar warning receiver (RWR) system, found on Grumman/Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.
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. The AN/ALQ-218 detects, identifies, locates and analyzes sources of radio frequency emission. The current version AN/ALQ-218(V)2 is manufactured by Northrop Grumman.[1]
The Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band is able to integrate with AN/ALQ-218.[2]
The ALQ-218 is mainly featured aboard the U.S. Navy's Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft,[3] [4] which has replaced the EA-6B Prowler in the U.S. Navy.[5] The ALQ-218 was previously on the Grumman EA-6B Prowler, which the Improved Capability III ALQ-218 was modified and integrated into the EA-18G's Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) system.[6] 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 an additional five jamming pods on under wing pylons.[7] 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.