The Navy confirmed its AN/ALQ-264 Beowulf prototype sensor flew in 2025, under a Boeing order worth up to $489.3 million. The order, placed in March, funds early hardware for the EA-18G Growler's Block II upgrade.
What's happening
- The Navy disclosed on Sept. 1 that the prototype AN/ALQ-264 Beowulf sensor flew in 2025.
- Beowulf is a digital AESA sensor built into an aircraft flight control surface, which the Navy calls a first for tactical aviation.
- Development has taken about six years, and Boeing received a not-to-exceed $489,306,966 undefinitized order in March covering Beowulf hardware.
- The Growler Block II Beowulf team won a 2026 NAVAIR Commander's Award for Technical Innovation.
Why it matters
- Beowulf is meant to extend the EA-18G's sensing and targeting range as adversary threats push the aircraft to operate farther out.
- The sensor augments the existing AN/ALQ-218 receiver, adding capability without a new airframe or platform.
- Northrop Grumman built the array while Boeing integrates it, illustrating a multi-prime supply chain for a single upgrade.
- Royal Australian Air Force cooperative development support points to allied investment in shared electronic attack capability.
Going deeper
- JED reports the array is integrated into the Growler's inboard leading edge flaps.
- Beowulf is Phase II of the Growler Block II upgrade; Phase I is the separate Next Generation Electronic Attack Unit program.
- The Navy lists technical hurdles as digital RF processing, thermal management, manufacturing and flight-clearance planning.
Financial impact
- The Navy obligated $33,988,353 in fiscal 2026 RDT&E funds at award in March, a fraction of the $489.3 million ceiling.
- As an undefinitized contract action, final pricing remains unsettled, so full revenue recognition timing is not yet fixed.
- Funds cover four Beowulf A-Kits, four Gunbay Pallet A-Kits, 12 Beowulf B-Kits, 15 sensor control unit B-Kits and nine power control unit B-Kits.
- Work is expected to finish in February 2030, spreading obligated funding and deliveries across multiple fiscal years.
The intrigue
- The March order was not competed, awarded under an existing basic ordering agreement rather than open bidding.
- The Navy's 2025 flight test disclosure came only as a courtesy release, with no date, location or performance data given.
The fine print
- The release gives no range or performance figures for the Beowulf sensor.
- The $489.3 million figure is a not-to-exceed ceiling, not a guaranteed obligated amount.
- Final contract terms and price remain undefinitized under the basic ordering agreement.
Source: alert5.com · Sep 24, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
