Australia will be allowed to receive the technology to turn its fitted-for-but-not-with Super Hornets into the electronic attack Growler variant, according to new reports.
Twelve of the 24 Super Hornets have the wiring in place to be upgraded with little extra effort.
The Australian reports that the decision was made recently by the US Technology, Transfer, Security Assistance, Review Board (TTSARB), a decision that could pave the way for the first foreign military sale of the Growler, defence sources said.
The ALQ-99 jammer pods from EDO currently used by US Navy Growlers and EA-6B Prowlers are no longer in production and are becoming increasingly difficult to support and operationally limited so Australia may choose not to go for the full USN capability at this time.
The Next Generation Jammer is currently under development and may prove a suitable pathway for Australia.