The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced that on August 26, the U.S. Navy awarded L3 Technologies Inc. a contract worth $587.4 million for the engineering development and manufacturing of the Next Generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB) system for EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft. This step is part of the U.S. Navy’s efforts to replace the current electronic warfare (EW) systems in its aircraft fleet, enhancing its electronic attack capabilities.
Prior to this contract, in September 2023, L3Harris had introduced a new electronic warfare pod as part of its proposal for the NGJ-LB competition, considering the final design and prototype manufacturing for the U.S. Navy.
The statement highlights that “The NGJ-LB will address current and emerging electronic warfare threats and increase the lethality of 4th and 5th generation attack platforms and weapons,” said Rear Admiral John Lemmon, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. “The Navy will partner with L3Harris to put this critical capability into the hands of the warfighter.”
The NGJ-LB electronic warfare pod is part of a broader NGJ system aimed at enhancing and ultimately replacing the current ALQ-99 tactical jamming system on the EA-18G Growler. Characterized by a high Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) system, the NGJ-LB increases the number of simultaneous targets the aircraft can engage while reducing crew workload and minimizing cockpit errors.
It will provide enhanced Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) capabilities to disrupt, deny, and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems. The NGJ-LB is expected to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in 2029.
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