AN/ALQ-218

The AN/ALQ-218 is an American airborne electronic warfare radar warning receiver (RWR) system, found on Grumman/Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.

AN/ALQ-218
Radar warning receiver
AN/ALQ-218(V)2 on the wingtip of an EA-18G Growler
Manufacturing Info
Manufacturer	Northrop Grumman
Usage
Used by Aircraft	EA-18G Growler
Used by Country	United States
Used by Military	US Navy

In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/ALQ-218" designation represents the 218th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for special countermeasures equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.

Description

The AN/ALQ-218 is an airborne passive Radar warning receiver / electronic warfare support measures / electronic signals intelligence (RWR/ESM/ELINT) sensor system designed for airborne situational awareness and signal intelligence gathering. The AN/ALQ-218 detects, identifies, locates and analyzes sources of radio frequency emission. The current version AN/ALQ-218(V)2 is manufactured by Northrop Grumman.^[1]

The Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band is able to integrate with AN/ALQ-218.^[2]

Platforms

The ALQ-218 is mainly featured aboard the U.S. Navy's Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft,^[3][4] which has replaced the EA-6B Prowler in the U.S. Navy.^[5] The ALQ-218 was previously on the Grumman EA-6B Prowler, which the Improved Capability 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 an additional five jamming pods on under wing pylons.^[7] The system is being considered for modification to serve on unmanned aerial vehicles. The Growler is part of the same family of aircraft as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.