Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G adapt to warfare shifts

Following a recent overseas deployment, two U.S. Navy pilots visited Boeing teammates in St. Louis to talk about F/A-18 and EA-18G performance and say thanks.

Why it matters: The pilots explained how aircraft flexibility and readiness were key to helping U.S. and coalition forces defend against dynamic, escalating attacks.

What happened: When commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea encountered Houthi missile and drone attacks beginning in late 2023, U.S. and coalition forces needed to respond quickly.

• They did so with the nearest assets — including the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18 Growler.
• Capt. Marvin J. Scott and Capt. James D. Huddleston explained that the versatility of the F/A-18 and EA-18G platforms — which Boeing teammates produce and modernize — helped the Navy employ new tactics to protect sailors and ensure freedom of navigation.

Zoom in: The Navy captains reported the Super Hornets and Growlers were reconfigured for diverse mission capabilities:

• Countering UAVs — With increased weapons capacity, the F/A-18 and EA-18G engaged in their first air-to-air uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) battles.
• Tanking — F/A-18s refueled other aircraft, enhancing mission endurance.
• Surveillance — The EA-18G, an electronic warfare variant of the F/A-18, patrolled the region.
  • “We primarily used the Growler to make sure our aircraft were safe,” Scott said, adding that “the Super Hornet and the EA-18G were very synergistic” and the Growler “extremely effective at electronic surveillance.”

Keys to success in a unique battlespace:

• Innovation — Captains Scott and Huddleston, who each have thousands of hours flying fighters and have instructed at TOPGUN, spoke to overcoming the complexities of the threats they faced.
  • “It was the most austere and nascent environment I’ve ever entered — constant evolution and innovation were key,” said Scott, explaining battlespace intel was limited at times and that UAV attacks against them evolved throughout the deployment.
  • “In a very challenging situation, we had to evolve how and when we flew,” Huddleston said. “The Super Hornet’s capabilities continued to evolve even as we were deployed. It made the difference between being able to defend something or not.”
• Readiness — The pilots said their Carrier Air Wing consistently met its readiness targets for mission-capable aircraft.
  • “Material readiness is extremely important,” Scott said. “The F/A-18 could take the damage and recover. That’s huge, because it increases your survivability in wartime.”
• Integration — The coordination across the services and coalition, combined with the support of industry, drove success in the battlespace.
  • “It was a demanding mission, but the people and the equipment were absolutely up to the task,” Scott said.
  • He added: “The 7,000 men and women in uniform were able to do their job effectively because of the thousands of people here equipping us. Thank you for doing what you do, because it enables us to do what we do.”

The big picture: The Navy is deploying Block III, Boeing’s most advanced version of the Super Hornet.

• The Block III capability suite features an open mission systems processor, updated communications links and the world’s largest touch screen cockpit, giving pilots an expanded view of the battlespace.
• These features allow the Navy to adapt the platform rapidly for new environments and test the capabilities future aircraft will deploy.