In a high-stakes game of cat and mouse in the South China Sea, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has disclosed new information about advanced strategies and equipment used by Chinese warships to counter U.S. electronic warfare aircraft, particularly the EA-18G Growler, according to Chinese media citing Indian reports.
The South China Morning Post highlighted a new report published in the Chinese academic journal Radar and Electronic Countermeasure Technology, which reveals details of a highly publicized incident from December 2023.
The report notes that William Kurth, the commander of the U.S. Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) on the USS Carl Vinson, was unexpectedly relieved of duty. Although the U.S. Navy attributed this decision to a “loss of confidence in his command abilities,” the report suggests that Kurth’s removal might be related to the U.S. Navy’s struggles in countering Chinese electronic warfare capabilities.
In January 2024, the crew of the PLAN’s Type 055 destroyer Nanchang was commended for their actions against a U.S. carrier fleet. Chinese media later aired footage of two U.S. military aircraft interacting with the Nanchang, one of which was believed to be an EA-18G Growler. According to the report, PLAN scientists for the first time disclosed how their modern warships counter the advanced electronic warfare capabilities of the EA-18G Growler, a key component of the U.S. Air-Sea Battle strategy.
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is renowned for its electronic jamming capabilities, designed to suppress enemy radar and communication systems. Despite its advanced technology and recent upgrades, the Growler is not immune to countermeasures. Chinese scientists revealed that the PLAN’s Type 055 destroyers are equipped with advanced radars and sensors. The integration of these systems allows them to process vast amounts of data, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the Growler’s electronic jamming. The PLAN integrates these systems to continue effective operations even under electronic interference, demonstrating significant technological advancements.
The intense competition between the Chinese Navy and U.S. Growler aircraft dates back to at least 2018. During Trump’s administration, reports indicated that China deployed radar and communication jamming equipment in the South China Sea. At that time, EA-18G Growler pilots suspected interference from Chinese systems, but experts debated the extent of the impact on the aircraft’s operational capabilities.
Chinese scientists believe that artificial intelligence (AI) provides the PLAN’s radar systems with a decisive advantage over the EA-18G Growler. One scientist emphasized the capabilities of AI-equipped radars, which include active environmental awareness, customizable transmission and reception functions, intelligent processing, and resource scheduling. These features enable the radar to effectively counter the complex and variable electromagnetic interference tactics employed by the EA-18G.
He explained that system detection is not merely about stacking multiple sensors or creating a loosely connected network. Instead, it involves the comprehensive use of various sensors’ performance characteristics based on actual conditions. This approach ensures the tactical allocation and scheduling of detection resources, enhancing the platform’s information control capabilities. Even in complex electromagnetic environments, Chinese scientists have made significant progress in ensuring reliable and rapid communication across the fleet. Nearby PLAN vessels quickly counterattacked the EA-18Gs targeting their ships.
This coordination forms a massive “kill web” capable of flexibly and intelligently countering the EA-18G, shifting from “single resource confrontation” to “system detection resource confrontation.” With these technological advancements, the Chinese Navy has transitioned from a previously cautious stance to a more strategically proactive approach. This new method, called “offensive defense,” involves simultaneously adopting multiple measures, optimizing combinations, and collaborating with other elements to effectively counter electronic warfare aircraft.
An official report on the Nanchang confirmed this tactical shift. The ship broke traditional formation, advancing 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) ahead to block the U.S. carrier strike group’s entry into the Chinese exercise area, supported by rear forces. In response, the U.S. deployed carrier-based aircraft. Chinese-released footage showed that the EA-18G might have used a tactic called “escort jamming,” forming formations with other aircraft to conduct noise jamming or release dense decoy signals to confuse the Nanchang. Nevertheless, the Nanchang’s radar system continued to operate normally and successfully locked onto the primary targets of the U.S. fleet. According to a commander on the Nanchang, U.S. ships and aircraft withdrew shortly after the ship opened the protective cover of its vertical launch system.