The US Airborne Electronic Attack Systems and EA-6B program office (PMA-234) have completed a critical design review for the AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Increment 1 mid-band program.

During the review, conducted at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, US, it was determined that the design and development are on track to meet crucial warfighter requirements, and fabrication, demonstration and test could proceed.

“Design and development are on track to meet crucial warfighter requirements”

The system, which will replace the AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system currently integrated on the EA-18Gs and also earmarked for the RAAF's new Growlers, is now in the engineering and manufacturing development phase with Raytheon Space and Air Systems, the pod prime contractor, and Boeing, the Growler aircraft integration prime contractor.

According to Raytheon, the capability, once fielded, will transform the way in which electronic warfare is conducted.

The system will address the emerging, advanced threats and increased threat density using the latest Active Electronically Scanned Array, also known as AESA, digital and software-based technologies.

In February, at the Avalon Internation Airshow, Defence Minister Marise Payne announced Australia would partner with the US to develop the NGJ for the Growler.

“This is a $250m investment by the Turnbull Government that will future proof the Growler’s capability,” Minister Payne said.