Boeing EA-18G Growler VAQ-131 Lancers

Electronic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131), also known as the "Lancers", is an United States Navy EA-6B Prowler squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Part of Carrier Air Wing 2, the Lancers deploy aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).[1] Their radio callsign is "Skybolt".
History

VAQ-131 was originally commissioned as Patrol Squadron 931 (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955, VP-931 flew the P2V Neptune. In 1956, the squadron transitioned to the A-3 Skywarrior and was re-designated as Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4). Then in November 1968, VAH-4 received the EKA-3 version of the Skywarrior and was re designated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 (VAQ-131). In 1971, the Lancers became the second squadron in the U.S. Navy to receive the EA-6B Prowler.
General characteristics

   Crew: Two
   Length: 60 ft 1.25 in (18.31 m)
   Wingspan: 44 ft 8.5 in (13.62 m) (including wingtip-mounted pods)
   Height: 16 ft (4.88 m)
   Wing area: 500 ft² (46.5 m²)
   Empty weight: 33,094 lb (15,011 kg)
   Loaded weight: 48,000 lb (21,772 kg) ; recovery weight
   Max. takeoff weight: 66,000 lb (29,964 kg)
   Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofans
       Dry thrust: 14,000 lbf (62.3 kN) each
       Thrust with afterburner: 22,000 lbf (97.9 kN) each
   Internal fuel capacity: 13,940 lb (6,323 kg)
   External fuel capacity: (3 x 480 gal tanks): 9,774 lb (4,420 kg)

Performance

   Maximum speed: Mach 1.8[53] (1,190 mph, 1,900 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
   Range: 1,275 nmi (2,346 km); clean plus two AIM-9s[53]
   Combat radius: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km) ; for interdiction mission[54]
   Ferry range: 1,800 nmi (2,070 mi, 3,330 km) ; range without ordnance
   Service ceiling: >50,000 ft (15,000 m)
   Wing loading: 92.8 lb/ft² (453 kg/m²)
   Thrust/weight: 0.93

Armament

   Guns: None
   Hardpoints: 9 total: 6× under-wing, and 3× under-fuselage with a capacity of 17,750 lb (8,050 kg) external fuel and ordnance
   Notes: The two wingtips missile launcher rail for AIM-9 Sidewinder, found on the E/F Super Hornet, have been replaced with AN/ALQ-218 detection pods, six removable under wing mounted hard points (inboard pylons will carry 480 gal fuel tanks, mid-board pylons will carry AN/ALQ-99 High Band Jamming Pods, and outboard pylon reserved for AGM-88 HARM missiles), two multi-mode conformal fuselage stations (AIM-120 AMRAAM), 1 centerline fuselage removable hardpoint, for AN/ALQ-99 Low Band Jamming Pod.
       Weapons employment: Currently, Phase I of the Growler will carry the AIM-120 AMRAAM for self-protection at the two conformal fuselage stations and AGM-88 HARM missiles. The A/A-49A-2 gun system with the 20 mm M61A1 cannon has been removed and replaced by a pod of electronic boxes that control the AN/ALQ-218 and assist with the coordination AN/ALQ-99 jamming attacks.
       According to the possible weapon configurations which were revealed, EA-18G would also be capable of performing "time-sensitive" strike missions, carrying AGM-154 JSOW under wings, or multi-sensor reconnaissance missions with SHARP and AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR on centerline and left conformal weapon stations, respectively.

Avionics

   Raytheon AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar