The US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has awarded Northrop Grumman a foreign military sale (FMS) contract modification to provide the ADF with mounted and dismount variants of the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) systems.
Valued at $29.9 million, this international JCREW FMS order authorised by NAVSEA includes JCREW Increment One Block One systems, as well as auxiliary kits, spares, and support equipment. Northrop Grumman Australia will also expand its in-country support capabilities to meet the ADF’s operational needs.
“This JCREW FMS order further validates the field-proven effectiveness of the JCREW systems for both US and coalition military operators to counter device-controlled threats, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unmanned aerial vehicles,” Roshan Roeder, vice president, communications, airborne sensors and networks division, Northrop Grumman, said. “We continue to work closely with our US Navy partners to deliver JCREW systems that will help US and allied warfighters maintain the tactical advantage needed to succeed across today’s technology driven battlespace.”
“Northrop Grumman Australia is ready to support our US counterparts with the introduction of JCREW into operational service,” Chris Deeble, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia, said. “These JCREW systems will provide Australia with additional operational capability and expand Northrop Grumman’s support to the ADF.”
The software-programmable JCREW Increment One Block One system uses an open architecture integrated design to maximise commonality across variants. Its software-defined nature enables new threat defeat capabilities to be rapidly deployed; allows third-party application providers to easily integrate with JCREW systems; and reduces overall lifecycle costs.
Northrop Grumman says it works closely with the US Navy to add new counter-communications capabilities to address emerging and future threats.
Work on this Australian FMS order will take place in San Diego and is expected to be completed in 2022.