Currently four RAAF EA-18Gs from 6SQN are deployed at Nellis AFB for Red Flag 18-1
As reported by Daily Express, a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) EA-18G Growler experienced an engine failure and skidded off the runway at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB).
Currently four RAAF EA-18Gs from 6SQN are deployed at Nellis AFB for Red Flag 18-1.
Daily Express reports a statement released by consultancy group and security experts Strategic Sentinel that said on Twitter: “A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E/A-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Platform experienced a critical engine failure upon takeoff at Nellis AFB.
“The aircraft skidded off the runway and the pilot was able to exit the aircraft safely. Both the pilot and ground crew are safe.”
According Daily Express a trail of smoke could be seen rising above the base after the incident, which occurred at around 10.50am local time (6.45pm GMT).
No “serious injuries” were reported, a spokesman said.
A statement released by the chief of the 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Major Christine J. Sukach said: “At approximately 10:45 a.m. this morning, a military aircraft experienced an incident during takeoff on the Nellis Air Force Base flight line.
“Emergency services are on scene. No serious injuries are reported.
“More information in the incident will be released as it becomes available.”
The EA-18G Growler is a variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet and flies the airborne electronic attack mission. Thanks to its array of sensors and weapons, the aircraft is able to perform a wide range of missions such as Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), Stand-off and Escort Jamming (where the Growler not only fly the traditional stand-off jamming mission but also provides the escort for other air assets thanks to the speed and agility inherited form the Super Hornet), Non-Traditional Electronic Attack (where thanks to its enhanced situational awareness the EA-18G achieves an unmatched degree of integration with ground operations) and Self-protection and Time-Critical Strike Support (where thanks to its Advanced Electronically Scanned Array [AESA] radar, digital data links and air-to-air missiles, the EA-18G has self-protection capability and is also highly effective for target identification and prosecution).
Photo credit: Elana McIntyre Twitter Account and screenshot from YouTube video
Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com
