Boeing’s EA-18G Growler was approved to advance into Full Rate Production (FRP), allowing the St. Louis-based program to begin manufacturing about 20 aircraft per year. The EA-18G achieved Initial Operational Capability as planned in September with U.S. Navy electronic attack squadron VAQ-132, based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. "Full Rate Production for the EA-18G is critical, as it enables Boeing to quickly ramp up production of the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform, and rapidly get this new capability to the warfighter," said Bob Gower, F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs vice president for Boeing.