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In the News
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Press Release Archive
December 29, 2003
Boeing Awarded EA-18G SDD Contract
Akin Championed the Super Hornet as platform for weapon system
Washington, DC-Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO), a member of the House Armed Services, is applauding today's announcement of a U.S. Navy contract award to Boeing for the System Design and Development (SDD) phase of the EA-18G (Super Hornet) Airborne Electronic Attack Aircraft (Growler) which will likely replace the Navy's aging fleet of Prowlers.
"It is extremely gratifying to see the Growler move closer to the flight deck", said Akin who has championed the Super Hornet as the platform for the Prowler's replacement. "These aircraft will play a critical role in combat effectiveness and in the survivability of our fighter pilots. It will also likely mean the production of an additional 90 Super Hornets and the extension of the Super Hornet production line."
Congressman Akin has long championed the Super Hornet as the platform of choice for the new electronic-attack aircraft to replace the Navy's aging Prowler fleet. "Providing funding for the Growler has been a high priority since my term in Congress began," said Akin. "Years ago I worked to start funding and research for a variant of the Super Hornet to replace the Growler, which is becoming unsustainable because of age. Today's announcement is a significant step toward seeing Super Hornets playing a continued, vital role in our national defense."
The nearly $1 billion contract runs from fiscal year (FY) 04 until early FY09 and will fund laboratory, ground tests and full performance flight testing. The Navy is anticipating the building of 90 Growlers, with production beginning in FY 06.
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