Northrop Grumman is to undertake low-rate initial production of the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) Increment 1 Block 1 (I1B1) under a new contract from the US Navy.
The contract was awarded by the US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The initial award is valued at $95 million; if all options are exercised the total value could rise to $213 million.
JCREW systems are software-programmable jammers that provide protection from device-triggered improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Jeannie Hilger, vice president and general manager, communications division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, said: ‘Prevailing where other companies in the industry faltered, our JCREW team proved this crucial capability – so urgently needed in the field to protect our warfighters against current and emerging threats – could be achieved. Now developed and validated, we couldn't be more elated and gratified JCREW will be deployed next year.
‘The system developed by Northrop Grumman is exceedingly more effective against a multitude of different IED threats than systems currently in the field. [It] also provides new capabilities that make the system easier to maintain and update for new threats.’
NAVSEA awarded Northrop Grumman the JCREW I1B1 development contract in December 2009 and exercised the contract option in January 2013 to complete development of JCREW I1B1. The system completed initial operational test and evaluation in May.
Work is expected to be completed by January 2017.
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