L3Harris has just lately shared some pictures and particulars about their submission for the NGJ-LB pod for the EA-18G Growler.
The NGJ (Subsequent Era Jammer) is a U.S. Navy program to enhance, and finally substitute the EA-18G Growler plane’s ageing ALQ-99 TJS (Tactical Jamming System) developed within the Nineteen Seventies for the (retired) EA-6B Prowler.
Throughout the scope of the NGJ program, the Navy will substitute the TJS pods working within the 509 MHz to 18 GHz waveband, with three completely different pods, designated NGJ-MB (Mid Band), also called Functionality Block/Increment 1;, NGJ-LB (Low Band), aka Block/Increment 2; and NGJ-HB (Excessive Band), aka Block/Increment 3; and directed specifically against the low- (100 MHz to 2 GHz waveband), mid- (2 GHz to 6 GHz), and high-band (6 GHz to 18 GHz) sections of the general risk spectrum.
Whereas NGJ-MB and -HB will substitute the 2 ALQ-99 pods that Growlers carry underneath every wing, the NGJ-LB, will substitute the low-band pod that the plane keep on the centerline retailer place underneath the fuselage.
The NGJ-LB shall be extraordinarily vital to offer cowl to stealth plane threatened by the rising counter-stealth Low Band radars or to counter long-range weapons utilizing low-frequency terminal steerage programs.
Raytheon was awarded the contracts for the NGJ-MB, also called the AN/ALQ-249(V)1 pod, and two such pods had been noticed getting used along with the centerline ALQ-99 throughout Northern Edge 23-1 exercise in Alaska.
L3Harris Applied sciences gained a four-year competitors to area a NGJ-LB pod for the Boeing EA-18G Growler in December 2020. Nevertheless, Northrop Grumman (whose submission we covered here) protested the award, alleging the Navy failed to contemplate the impression of a possible battle of curiosity involving a Navy worker that developed specs for the low-band system whereas concurrently negotiating for employment with L3Harris through the solicitation.
Lengthy story brief, after years of protests and litigation, the U.S. Navy, together with L3Harris and Northrop Grumman, have agreed to a path ahead to re-evaluate and supreme re-award the Subsequent Era Jammer Low Band pod.
A contract is predicted to be awarded within the subsequent few months.
In the intervening time, L3Harris has launched some shut up pictures of their submission for the a lot awaited NGJ-LB pod.
L3Harris launched some shut up photographs of their NGJ-LB(Subsequent Era Jammer Low Band) Jammer pod.
Intresting trying pic.twitter.com/eYKOjaS2mw
— Fighterman_FFRC (@Fighterman_FFRC) August 29, 2023
Curiously, the pod doesn’t have the everyday ram air turbine often utilized by this type of pod to generate the ability wanted to emit jamming alerts and options an air consumption duct much like the one of many Sniper ATP (Superior Concentrating on Pod).
Listed here are just a few particulars in regards to the pod the seller offers by means of its official web site:
Via excessive Equal, Isotropically Radiated Energy (EIRP) and tailor-made waveforms, the NGJ-LB will increase the variety of simultaneous targets that aircrews can assault whereas decreasing aircrew workload and cockpit distractions. The NGJ-LB’s superior know-how eliminates present system functionality gaps whereas dramatically bolstering availability and sustainment.
NGJ-LB shall be a high-powered and superior AEA system. L3Harris’ jamming pod permits prolonged stand-off jamming, covers a broad spectrum of frequencies to service U.S. Division of Protection-wide EW calls for, and shall be extra sustainable than the present system. The system will function seamlessly with joint and allied forces and may incorporate new applied sciences to counter rising threats.
The Navy expects contracted work to be accomplished inside 5 years. NGJ-LB will handle shortfalls in functionality, availability and sustainment of the Navy’s present AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System.
David Cenciotti is a journalist based mostly in Rome, Italy. He’s the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of many world’s most well-known and browse army aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for main worldwide magazines, together with Air Forces Month-to-month, Fight Plane, and lots of others, protecting aviation, protection, conflict, business, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown a number of fight planes with completely different air forces. He’s a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Power, a non-public pilot and a graduate in Pc Engineering. He has written 5 books and contributed to many extra ones.
