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In article . net, "Thomas
Schoene" wrote:

You and I both know that Congress doesn't fund procurement in advance and
the program isn't at the stage where mass production is possible. But there
was something like $400 million in the FY 05 Appropriations bill for EA-18G
development, and it looks like the EA-18G is included in the current
multiyear procurement authority for Super Hornets. So it's not a certainty,
but it's far from vaporware.

Last I heard, USAF is
still pushing the F-22 variant,

Unless they've hung an arresting hook on the plane, it's not a starter for
the USN. In any case, what has been talked about for the USAF in the same
timeframe is more likely B-52s with jammer gear. The JSF/F-35 is also being
talked about. I've seen no one mention the F/A-22 as a jammer recently.

USAF is struggling simply to preserve the F-22's it has. Looking for new
missions for them, especially when it will cost additional development
money, is not going to work.

You're right that the USAF is considering B-52's with jammer pods. Another
option being considered is supplementing these with UAV's for close in
jammer work, but they don't have a lot of power to spare.

The USMC is conducting a study of using the F-35 in this role as well,
because they do not want to buy the Growler. I have no idea how they can
claim that they lack the money to buy Growlers but will somehow find the
money to develop a dedicated F-35 variant. But studies are relatively
cheap. I expect that in the end, if the EA-18G can be made to work, the
Marines will eventually buy some.




D