Boeing, Navy Adding SATCOM System To Super Hornet; Mike Gibbons Comments
Boeing and the Navy have developed an add-on satellite communications system for Super Hornet and planes, the company announced Wednesday.
If implemented, aircrews will use the system to exchange voice and data communications with other planes, ships, ground forces and command centers.
The company used the Growler’s existing architecture to test the system less than 90 days after the Navy’s request, said Mike Gibbons, vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18 programs.
During an in-flight demonstration between May 23 and May 30, Navy aircrews aboard the EA-18G Growler communicated with ground-based teams at China Lake, Calif. and the Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, Md.
Growlers are variants of the Super Hornet and include a SATCOM antenna.
Boeing is reportedly integrating other features into the Super Hornet, such as a capability for launching unmanned aerial vehicles from the plane.
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