US Navy progresses Next Generation Jammer program

In a move which marked a new step in the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Jammer electronic warfare system, the U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon a $1 billion contract for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of NGJ prototypes.

The contract will see Raytheon deliver 15 Engineering Development Model pods for mission systems testing and qualification, and 14 aeromechanical pods for airworthiness certification.

By awarding this contract, the U.S. Navy is moving beyond the design phase of the $7 billion program aimed at improving airborne electronic attack capabilities.

The NGJ contract, awarded in the second quarter and announced on April 13, also covers designing and delivering simulators and hardware to government labs and support for flight testing and government system integration.

The NGJ is set to replace the old ALQ-99 systems used on Boeing’s EA-18G airborne electronic attack aircraft.

“This is a significant milestone for electronic warfare,” said Rick Yuse, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. “NGJ is a smart pod that provides today’s most advanced electronic attack technology, one that can easily be adapted to changing threat environments. That level of sophistication provides our warfighters with the technological advantage required to successfully prosecute their mission and return home safely.”

The U.S. Navy successfully completed Milestone B for the program, allowing NGJ to move to the EMD phase. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall and other program officials made the decision to move forward at a meeting held at Raytheon’s El Segundo, California facility, in March.