U.S. Navy Moves Ahead With Auto GCAS For F/A-18s, EA-18s

The U.S. Navy is proceeding with an effort to install an automatic ground control avoidance system (Auto GCAS) on Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers.

Naval Air Systems Command on Nov. 10 published a solicitation for a software update to redesign the digital map computer and flight control computer on the aircraft’s Tactical Aircraft Moving Map Capability (Tammac) in support of the Auto GCAS program.

The fleet has an existing Terrain Awareness Warning system that provides alerts of potential controlled flight into terrain incidents and guidance to the pilot to avoid CFIT. This upgrade would permit the aircraft to automatically recover from potential CFIT if the pilot is incapacitated.

“Avionics upgrades to Naval Aviation platforms are required to ensure compliance with current safety and airworthiness requirements,” the solicitation says. “These upgrades and improvements to the aircrew systems demand a software upgrade beyond the current legacy capabilities supporting platform avionics system requirements for Tammac program. Components include, but are not limited to, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance Systems (AGCAS), Digital Map Computers (DMC), and Digital Video Map Computers (DVMC).”

The solicitation has a response date of Nov. 25.

Stakeholders have called on the Navy for years to install an Auto GCAS system on the F/A-18 fleet, after integration on other aircraft including F-16s, F-22s and F-35s. Boeing and the U.S. Air Force are working on a system for F-15s, and that service has also called for integration on the T-7A Red Hawk. The U.S. Marine Corps and Boeing are also developing the system for legacy F-18 Hornets.

Lawmakers have joined the call, with the House’s version of the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill calling on the Navy to outline how and when it will develop auto GCAS for the fleet. The language requires the Navy to outline an acquisition approach by March 2026, including the cost, schedule, testing and fielding plan.

“In summary, Auto GCAS provides a crucial automated safety feature that complements aircrew skills and training, safeguarding against human error, aircrew incapacitation, and the inherent risks of tactical fighter operations,” the bill’s report says.

The service’s fiscal 2026 budget request includes $18 million for the effort. In the request, the Navy says Auto GCAS is a “significant safety improvement that could have prevented multiple fatal F/A-18 mishaps over the past two decades.”