The US Naval Air Systems Command has modified a Raytheon contract to deliver five Next-Generation Jammer-Mid Band pods for the EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft.
The $226.7 million contract adds two more pods to the original deal, awarded in July last year to replace the Growler’s ALQ-99 tactical jammers. The contract runs through September 2024.
Advanced Jammer
The new Active Electronically Scanned Array jammer uses “high power-jamming energy” to identify and defeat adversaries in highly contested electromagnetic spectrum environments. Its digital and software-based tech “increases the ability to jam and allows for rapid beam steering and advanced jammer modulation.”
According to the developer, the advanced jammer operates at a significantly enhanced range and can attack multiple targets simultaneously.
Counters Evolving Threats
The system’s modular open architecture allows future upgrades to counter evolving sensing and jamming technologies. Its field modification kit enables a variety of missions, including the ability to be fitted onto other platforms.
The Next Generation Jammer System is a joint program between the US Department of Defense and the Australian Ministry of Defence to defeat advanced and emerging threats in mid, low, and high-frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum.