The U.S. and Australian fleets are one step closer to getting the next increment of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) system. The Navy awarded L3 Technologies Inc., Communication Systems-West a $587.4 million contract on August 26 for the engineering and manufacturing development of the Next Generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB) system.

“NGJ-LB will meet current and emerging electronic warfare threats and increase the lethality of 4th and 5th generation platforms and strike weapons,” said Rear Adm. John Lemmon, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. “The Navy will partner with L3Harris to get this key capability into the hands of the warfighter.”

The NGJ-LB is part of a larger NGJ system that will augment and ultimately replace the legacy ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System on the EA-18G Growler aircraft. Using the latest software and Active Electronically Scanned Array technologies, NGJ will provide enhanced AEA capabilities to disrupt, deny and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems.

This latest increment will counter a larger capacity of adversary systems in the low-frequency electromagnetic spectrum. NGJ-LB is scheduled to reach early operational capability in 2029.

The Navy originally awarded the contract in 2020. Following multiple protests, the Navy issued an amended request for proposals in 2023. This contract supports the final design efforts and manufacturing of operational prototype pods and system-level prototypes for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). NGJ-LB is a joint cooperative program between the U.S. Department of Defense and the Australian Department of Defence.

“The contract award is a major step for our fleet as well as the RAAF,” said Capt. David Rueter, AEA Systems Program Office (PMA-234) Program Manager. “Our partnership with Australia to develop the newest AEA jamming capability exhibits our joint commitment to ensure continued superiority over the electromagnetic spectrum.”

PMA-234 is responsible for acquiring, delivering and sustaining AEA systems including the NGJ, ALQ-99 and ALQ-231 Intrepid Tiger Pod II. The program office provides combatant commanders with electronic warfare capabilities that enable operational mission success.