A new image obtained by Australian Aviation shows the extent of the damage sustained by a RAAF EA-18G Growler which had to abort its takeoff from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada on Saturday after an apparent engine failure.
The image shows the rear of the jet to be blackened from fire, suggesting extensive damage to the airframe and the aircraft’s electronic warfare systems, including its underwing ALQ-99 jamming pods.
The Growler’s crew, comprising a pilot and an electronic warfare officer, were able to exit the jet on the ground without serious injury after the incident. The aircraft was one of four EA-18Gs the RAAF had sent to Nellis to participate in Exercise Red Flag 18-1.
The aircraft is one of 12 EA-18G Growlers in Australian service, with the RAAF the only operator outside the US Navy to have the advanced electronic warfare platform in service.
The first aircraft were accepted into RAAF service in 2016 and all 12 jets were delivered to RAAF Base Amberley in mid-2017.
