The Navy Has New Trick to Make its Fighter Jets Even More Lethal

By Dave Majumdar

The capability of the service’s carrier-based strike fighters and electronic attack jets even without the addition of new platforms.

During the U.S. Navy’s Netted Sensors 2017 (NS17) fleet experiment in August, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet [3] and EA-18G Growler crews showed off the capabilities of the Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) [4] data-link to enable entire new capabilities. These included a Common Tactical Picture (CTP), Multi-Ship Electronic Surveillance (ESM), Growler Manned-Unmanned Teaming with the DASH-X/REMEDY unmanned system, and Network-Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) technologies

The operational Navy will adopt the new capabilities over time—over the course of several software upgrades for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G—as it struggles to maintain its lead over rival great powers such as Russia and China. “This allows pilots to see the entire battle space by sharing their own aircraft’s sensor-developed tracks with tracks from other aircraft, developing a more complete air picture and improving overall situational awareness,” reads [5] a release from the Naval Air Systems Command’s F/A-18 and EA-18G program office. “The CTP also enhances targeting capabilities, improving overall timelines and performance in the air-to-air threat environment.”

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While the F/A-18E/F fleet will receive many of these upgrades to help keep them at the top of their game, the most impressive new capabilities will go to the Growler electronic attack aircraft community. The Super Hornet derived airborne jamming platform will the center piece of the Navy’s Network-Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT) efforts, which is designed to help the carrier air wing to defeat advanced surface-to-air missile threats such as the Russian-made S-400. [9]