In a surprise announcement, the U.S. Navy revealed that it had successfully flown tests of the E/A-18G Growler, as an unmanned aerial system.
A fighter jet based on the design of the F/A-18 Super Hornet, this unmanned version of the plane was created to ensure that high risk missions do not put our pilots in harm’s way. Also, the Growler can be controlled through short range communications, where a pilot in a nearby airplane can control the unmanned jet, allowing them the ability to fly without the risk of enemy forces jamming the controls.
With the latest jamming systems and anti-radar missiles, the Growler would be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. This announcement confirms that we may be able to fly armed unmanned jets sooner than we originally thought.