US Navy awards contract for next-generation jammer system to counter advanced electronic warfare threats

News, US October 4, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

The U.S. Navy has awarded a contract to develop the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Expansion (NGJ-MBX), an upgrade to the existing Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system. Leading defense manufacturer, an RTX business, Raytheon received the $192 million contract.

The United States Navy uses the NGJ-MB on its EA-18G GROWLER aircraft to counter advanced electronic warfare threats. The NGJ-MB is a cutting-edge electronic attack system designed to deny, disrupt, and degrade enemy technologies, such as communication networks and air defense systems.

NGJ-MB program, including NGJ-MBX, is a joint cooperative program between the U.S. Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence. This airborne electronic attack system features two pods equipped with active electronically scanned arrays, which operate in the mid-band frequency range.

According to the U.S. Navy, the NGJ-MB system comprises two pods per shipset, as well as small hardware and software modifications to the EA-18G Growler aircraft to enable carriage, communication, and employment.

The Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) represents the next evolution in airborne electronic attack, designed to counter advanced and emerging electronic warfare threats while expanding the mission area. The NGJ is the U.S. Navy’s evolutionary acquisition program that delivers capabilities across three frequency bands: Mid-Band, Low Band, and High Band.

Leveraging the latest digital software and Active Electronically Scanned Array technologies, Next Generation Jammer enhances AEA capabilities by targeting enemy air defense and ground communication systems. It offers increased power and jamming effectiveness at greater ranges, along with the flexibility for rapid hardware and software upgrades to address evolving threats.

^{A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler assigned to the “Garudas” Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 flies over the flight line at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 4, 2021, in support of Northern Edge 2021. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Adriana Barrientos)}

The Mid-Band Expansion offers enhanced capabilities to improve operational effectiveness. According to the RTX statement, “This modification will extend the frequency range of the NGJ-MB system to counter additional threats.”

President of the Naval Power at Raytheon, Barbara Borgonovi said, “Offensive Electronic Attack provides a tremendous combat capability supporting strike packages and kinetic weapons across a broad range of missions.”

Borgonovi further highlighted that “With this upgrade, we’ll ensure our naval aviators in all theaters are better prepared to counter new adversary threats and provide greater combat power throughout their missions.”

Raytheon will carry out the development under this contract in its facilities in Dallas; Forest, Michigan; El Segundo, California; and Fort Wayne, Indiana, with completion expected by 2027.