| AN/ALQ-218 | |
|---|---|
| Radar warning receiver | |
_ALQ-218(V)2_of_VAQ-135_at_MCAS_IWAKUNI_20150503-01.JPG) AN/ALQ-218(V)2 on the wingtip of anEA-18G Growler | |
| Manufacturing Info | |
| Manufacturer(s) | Northrop Grumman |
| Usage | |
| Used bycountry | United States |
| Used bymilitary | US Navy |
| Platform(s) | EA-18G Growler |
TheAN/ALQ-218 is an American airborneelectronic warfareradar warning receiver (RWR) system, found onNorthrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler andBoeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.
In accordance with theJoint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/ALQ-218" designation represents the 218th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for specialcountermeasures equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name allDepartment of Defense and someNATO electronic systems.
The AN/ALQ-218 is an airborne passiveradar warning receiver /electronic warfare support measures /electronic signals intelligence (RWR/ESM/ELINT) sensor system designed for airbornesituational awareness and signal intelligence gathering. It detects, identifies, locates and analyzes sources ofradio frequency emissions. The current version AN/ALQ-218(V)2 is manufactured byNorthrop Grumman.[1]
The AN/ALQ-249Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) is able to integrate with AN/ALQ-218.[2]
The ALQ-218 is mainly featured aboard theUS Navy's EA-18G Growler aircraft,[3][4] which has replaced the EA-6B Prowler.[5] The ALQ-218 was previously on theEA-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.[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 up to an additional five jamming pods on under wing pylons.[7] The system is being considered for modification to serve onunmanned aerial vehicles. The Growler is part of the same family of aircraft as theF/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
