USN Next Generation Jammer-Low Band – Demonstration of Existing Technologies
Northrop Grumman announced on 28 November that it has teamed with Harris Corporation and Comtech PST for the US Navy’s Next Generation Jammer-Low Band (NGJ-LB) Demonstration of Existing Technologies (DET) programme.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Northrop Grumman a $35 million, 20-month contract on 25 October to demonstrate existing jammer capability for the NJG-LB programme. The company is already the airborne electronic attack (EA) integrator for the Navy’s current EA-18G GROWLER EW aircraft.
Harris Corporation is providing cutting-edge EA equipment developed at its North Amityville, NY operation: Comtech PST, a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications, based in Melville, NY, is providing high-power RF amplifier systems.
The NGJ system will augment, and ultimately replace, the GROWLER’s legacy ALQ-99 tactical jammer system with advanced airborne EA capabilities for defeating increasingly advanced and capable threats. Developed in three frequency-focused increments – high-, mid- and low-band – NGJ will bring a significant increase in airborne EA capability to counter complex air defence and communications systems.
“The Northrop Grumman team brings extensive electronic warfare expertise and a long history of building and deploying systems that support the challenging carrier-based aviation environment. We are proud to be working with Comtech and Harris to help the Navy maintain its warfighting edge,” commented Northrop Grumman’s Vice President, Surveillance and Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare, Paul Kalafos.
Harris’ equipment is integrated within Northrop Grumman’s NGJ-LB pod system to provide a modular, scalable and reconfigurable capability that will allow the Navy to stay current with rapidly evolving threats. Harris draws on its expertise in coherent EA technologies and deployed jamming techniques.
“Harris is a leader in EW solutions worldwide and has extensive experience with the EA-18G GROWLER. Our significant investments in open architecture systems are ready made for the US Navy NGJ-LB DET,” observed Harris Electronic Systems’ President, Ed Zoiss. “Our work on NGJ-LB also advances the company’s strategy to extend into new EW markets through pods and unmanned systems.”
“Comtech is very pleased to be part of the Northrop Grumman team. Our long-standing relationship and position as a premier provider of high power RF systems positions the team well to support the Next Generation Jammer programme for years to come,” added Comtech PST President, Michael Hrybenko.
