How US ‘Zapper’ Jets Silenced Venezuela’s Air Defences In Minutes, Clearing The Way For Maduro’s Arrest
US electronic warfare jets cleared Venezuelan air defences within minutes setting the stage for Nicolas Maduro’s arrest and underscoring Washington’s rapid air dominance over Caracas.Image courtesy: AI modified picture Via DALL-E
During the US-led military operation to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Washington rapidly neutralised the country’s air defences, ensuring complete air dominance over Caracas within the opening phase of the mission.
Central to this effort was a US Navy squadron nicknamed the “Zappers,” operating the Boeing EA-18G Growler, an aircraft designed specifically to blind, jam, and suppress enemy air-defence networks.
How did the US use the Growler aircraft in Venezuela operations?
The operation involved up to 150 US warplanes, including F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, F-18 jets, B-1 bombers, and the Growlers, which specialise in suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD).
Using advanced electronic warfare capabilities, the Growlers disrupted Venezuelan radars and communications, allowing helicopters, fighters, and bombers to operate freely and safely over the capital.
What is the Growler aircraft that jammed Venezuelan radars?
Derived from the F/A-18F Super Hornet and built to replace the EA-6B Prowler, the Growler carries a sophisticated electronic warfare suite featuring ALQ-218 receivers, ALQ-99 jamming pods, and AGM-88 HARM missiles.
The aircraft can also be armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. According to the US Navy, the Growler has never been lost in combat.
How long has the US Navy been deploying the Growler?
In service since 2009, the carrier-based Growler is crewed by a pilot and an electronic-warfare officer, can fly above 50,000 feet, reach speeds of 1,381 mph, and weighs 16.55 tonnes. Each jet was priced at about $67 million in 2021 and is also operated by Australia.
Although Venezuela fielded Russian S-300 missile systems and Chinese radar networks, reports said these sensors were not among the most advanced and were quickly neutralised by the Zappers, effectively taking Venezuela’s air defences out of the fight.
