A seemingly endless series of acronyms describing radar jamming devices, mission goals and aircraft specifications for the new EA-18G Growler can induce eardrum hemorrhaging, but what civilians really want to know is how it corners.

The Growler, as a derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, inherits the fighter capabilities of the attack jet but a very different mission.

“This is an electronic surveillance and electronic attack aircraft,” said Cmdr. Paul Jennings, the former EA-18G Fleet Introduction Team Officer. “The Super Hornet is an attack fighter.”

Side by side, the two jets are distinguishable by the Growler’s wingtip pods, jamming pods hanging beneath the wings and other subtle add-ons. An enemy jet facing an EA-18G in the air would likely not stick around to make the distinction.

“It’s going to look like a fighter coming at you,” Jennings said.

The EA-6B Prowler has successfully carried out the same mission for three decades. When the Growler begins replacing the venerable workhorse, in addition to superior maneuverability, it will feature revolutionary radar jamming equipment, unparalleled overall communication, and the added luxury of self-defense. Oh, and it is also capable of breaking the sound barrier.

“You’re inheriting that (high speed) capability by virtue of flying a modified fighter,” Jennings said, adding a qualification that the FAA enforces stringent regulations on flying supersonic.

All of the aircraft are designed to fly from aircraft carriers.

Both Jennings and his successor, Cmdr. Derek Leney, have flown the Super Hornet in preparation of the transition.

“It was fun,” Leney said, his smile betraying the attempted lack of effusiveness. “It was pretty neat.”

With the added weight, the Growler is not as maneuverable at 30,000 feet as its attack fighter counterpart. Compared to the Prowler, however, there is no comparison.

“At 20,000 feet, it’s much more maneuverable than the Prowler,” Leney said.

Bob Papadakis, Boeing Company EA-18G NAS Whidbey Integration Lead, was told by one test pilot the Growler flies “tighter than an F.”

“Once they get in it, they don’t want to get out,” he said. “I won’t disparage the legacy aircraft because it served the Navy well for 30 years, but this is like getting out of a station wagon and hopping into a BMW.”

“It still has that new car smell,” Jennings said.

The bulkier Prowler required accompaniment during its missions. While the EA-18G will also fly with a “friend,” it is far more self-sufficient, adding a new dimension to its mission and the likelihood of success.

“This is a much more capable air-to-air aircraft than the Prowler,” Papadakis said. “I’m excited that the EA community now has a more robust aircraft. The reliability and safety are absolutely unbelievable.”

The Growler will be equipped with the same kinetic weapons as the EA-6B, as well as air-to-air missiles.

“That makes this a very potent aircraft,” Papadakis said, adding that no bombs have been hung on the Growler thus far.

The Navy, in planning the EA-18G’s capabilities, has extended the timeline to 2015. If additional Growlers are needed, Papakakis said an “F” can be converted to a “G.”

“The Navy left it open,” he said. They can make an F a G later. And once an G, always an G.”

They put in the gear for the conversion. That’s a huge advantage and a huge cost savings.”

Pacific Northwest weather can make flying sketchy for jet pilots. In the Growler, Papadakis said the amount of information placed in front of the pilot in the cockpit is astounding, regardless of cloud cover.

“The leaps in technology are huge,” he said. “It’s almost intuitive and that makes this aircraft revolutionary.”