New Jet for Whidbey

[3788sam]

Prowlers at Whidbey will be phased out to make room for a faster radar-jamming jet.
Going to get a bit noiser on Whidbey but looks like the base will be around for some time!




http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/07/20/100loc_jet001.cfm

[SomeSailor]

Growlers have been a pretty sore subject up there for awhile. It's basically a rhino (F/A-18 E/F model) with slung stores. Great plane, but limited in mission capability when compared to what we have now with the Prowler.

I saw the demonstrator at Whidbey a few years back. Since Boeing owns MacAir and the Prowler wings... it's just a matter of time.

Only 3 ALQ-99 wing stations and much reduced HARM capability. Not to mention you on get two crew. The one ECMO is gonna be a busy back seater. :)

http://www.aerei2.altervista.org/Immagini/F-18/F-18%20Growler/F-18G_05b.jpg

[3788sam]

Well at least the G model can defend its self!
If you read article the navy says it will reduce noise by about 14%- Nice spin less # of flights but a 18 on burners compared to a EA6 or a P3 -come on! :shock:

[SomeSailor]

Actually... the Growler carries no gun either... But the AIM-7's will help some.

The J-52 (EA-6B) is probably the loudest engine we fly right now. It's a gut-rattler with it's high pitched whine.

The GE414 (F/A-18) is very quiet in comparison to the Prowler's old motors.

It's a great plane, but better suited to what the Air Force wanted with the Wild Weasel variants they had. Great for fast in runs but for what we use the Prowler for, it's got big shoes to fill. Having 3 operators made categorizing targets and signatures much easier.

I went to the ILSMT a few years back where the decision was made to bring them here. A LOT of sore feelings in the room.

Tons of other political issues as well. Lemoore is the home to all the left coast Hornets and the Navy is getting in really conflict with the FAA and FCC down there now. Whidbey has almost unrestricted access to international airspace just moments after takeoff.

By having the AIMD for FA-18's here as well... we get more options in the next BRAC rounds.

[3788sam]

I agree the Prowler has preformed well in all its rolls - most weren't even thought of when the design was first penciled.
But I worked right next to El Toro in So CAL, and on take the F18 vs E6 - no contest.
The owner of our company was a Pilot for United, flying 747-400. During air show week, we would sit on the roof and watch all the Static display planes fly in. Nothing like a C5 or a BUFF flying over your head for a wake up call!

[SomeSailor]

Yeah... don't get me wrong... F/A-18 is a sweet platform... but in the military it's form follows function.

You can't go from a 4 place crew, to a 2 place without something having to change. We don't send planes ashore with Prowlers and the suppresion they provide. It also has to do with the whole training track and mission constraints placed on these crews.

There's a whole differnt political reason set behind this move. More so than just the airframe change. The DOD as a whole has been mandated to turn over a large percentage of its mission to UCAVs and getting some eggs in Whidbey's basket was an important part of keeping the base.