F/A-18 & EA-18G program recognized for readiness gains, next-generation Growler capability
Delivering critical warfighting readiness and lethality to the fleet earned two teams from the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) 2026 NAVAIR Commander’s Awards. These achievements included sustaining EA-18G Growler readiness across a full year of operational demand and delivering a pioneering airborne electronic attack sensor demonstration that secures the Navy’s technological edge. The awards recognize the combined impact of disciplined sustainment, cross-enterprise teamwork and high-velocity problem-solving across government and industry partners.
Growler Team recognized for fleet readiness and availability
The Growler Team earned the NAVAIR Commander’s Award for Availability after helping sustain frontline warfighting readiness for 12 consecutive months while supercharging repair capacity, reducing maintenance delays and keeping aircraft available to the fleet during a year of high operational demand, ensuring lethal capabilities remain immediately available to fleet commanders. The achievement was driven by data-informed decision-making, proactive sustainment planning and close coordination across the Naval Aviation Enterprise and industry. Delivering combat-ready lethality under intense operational demand was demonstrated by meeting or exceeding 2025 mission capable and fully mission capable aircraft requirement targets. This achievement was driven by proactive maintenance planning, close coordination across the Naval Aviation Enterprise, and overcoming challenges tied to aging systems, supply chain bottlenecks, material shortfalls and technical obsolescence. The team expanded depot repair capability ahead of schedule, increasing production efficiency and addressing some of the fleet’s most persistent readiness degraders. Those efforts included accelerating repairs for airborne electronic attack systems enhancements kits, improving ALQ-99 pod support and refining troubleshooting tools and processes for other key systems. Fleet Readiness Center Northwest achieved a 93% ready-for-issue rate, while supporting organizations across the enterprise completed dozens of maintenance events and more than 200 in-service support actions to sustain the fleet. “The results came from a team that stayed focused on the fleet’s warfighting readiness every day,” said Capt. Michael Burks, F/A-18 and EA-18G program manager. “They brought together cross-functional problem-solving, accountability, a fleet-first mindset and a commitment to driving industrial base velocity to keep Growler aircraft lethal and ready to project power when the fleet needed them most.”
Growler Block II Beowulf Team recognized for technical innovation
The Growler Block II Beowulf Team received the NAVAIR Commander’s Award for Technical Innovation after demonstrating a first-of-its-kind sensor integration for tactical aviation, a step forward designed to improve the Growler’s ability to detect and counter advanced threats at greater range. The achievement capped years of engineering work, risk reduction and collaboration across government, industry and international partners. The effort is a breakthrough for airborne electronic attack that delivers the competitive edge required to project strength and deter advanced threats. In 2025, the team successfully flight-tested the prototype ALQ-264 system, demonstrating a digital active electronically scanned array sensor integrated into an aircraft flight control surface — a first in tactical aviation that maintains technological superiority. The work will help close a critical capability gap as evolving threats push the EA-18G to operate at longer ranges, requiring improved machine-speed sensing, identification and targeting options to secure the contested electromagnetic spectrum. Over roughly six years, the team overcame technical and programmatic challenges in digital radio frequency processing, thermal management, manufacturing, flight-clearance planning and installation. The resulting demonstration validated the concept’s operational promise and helped establish a foundation for future sensor integration efforts. The effort also drew cooperative development support from the Royal Australian Air Force, underscoring allied interest in the capability’s long-term value. “Beowulf is a strong example of what disciplined engineering and sustained teamwork can deliver,” Burks said. “This team worked through technical challenges, coordinated closely with partners across government and industry, and stayed after the problem until they delivered a capability that will help shape the future of airborne electronic attack.” PMA-265 supports, sustains and advances the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets, delivering the warfighting lethality and material readiness required to secure peace through strength across dynamic and contested operational environments.
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