Raytheon to begin production of NGJ-MB
An EA-18G Growler conducts a Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) flight test over Southern Maryland recently. (Photo: US Navy)
USN has selected Raytheon Intelligence & Space for Low-Rate Initial Production Lot I (LRIP I) of its Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB).
The award advances the programme from the development stage into production and deployment, and the contract is valued at $171.6million.
NGJ-MB is the Navy’s advanced electronic attack system that offensively denies, disrupts and degrades enemy technology, including air-defence systems and communications.
It uses the latest digital, software-based and active electronically scanned array technologies. This allows operators to non-kinetically attack significantly more targets and at greater distances.
Annabel Flores, vice president of Electronic Warfare Systems, Raytheon commented ‘with its power and ability to jam multiple radars simultaneously, NGJ-MB will fundamentally change the way the Navy conducts airborne electronic attack’.
The award follows the recent Milestone C decision, which advanced the programme into the next stage of development.
NGJ-MB has undergone extensive testing, with more than 145 hours of developmental flight-testing using mission systems and aeromechanical systems on and off the EA-18G Growler aircraft.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Testing of Taiwan’s air-launched supersonic anti-ship missile commences
Should it be introduced into service, the air-launched Hsiung Feng 3 could boost Taiwan’s anti-ship missile capacity and kill zones.
-
Swarm drones and CCAs take flight in India
India reaches new milestones as it pushes it unmanned combat and surveillance strategy forward.
-
Portugal may snub F-35 fighter jets in the face of Trump administration “unpredictability”
A change in the White House’s attitude towards NATO and its European allies may lead to Portugal opting for a non-US option to replace its ageing Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter fleet.
-
Ireland to explore options for tactical UAS procurement
The EU planning notice cited that the uncrewed aerial system (UAS) would be used for predominantly for reconnaissance purposes with a greater range and endurance than drones currently operated by the Irish Defence Forces.
-
Panama approves $187 million purchase of Airbus and Embraer aircraft
The C295 and Super Tucano deals for its National Aeronaval Service were approved as part of an emergency procedure by the government on 11 March.
-
US Navy tests new comms pod for Marine Corps’ MQ-9A Reaper
The pod, named SkyTower II (STII) was tested ahead of the system’s initial operational capability (IOC) in 2026.