On October 30, 2018, the U.S. Navy is looking to improve its electronic warfare capabilities, and two U.S. defense companies, L-3 Technologies Communications Systems West and Northrop Grumman, are urgently working together to develop low-band tactical RF signal jammers. This project is designed specifically for the Navy's EA-18G Growler electronic warfare carrier-based aircraft to meet its stringent requirements for low size, weight and power consumption (SWaP).
Radar Jammer Advantages
- At Patuxent River Naval Station in Maryland, officials from the Naval Air Systems Command are working closely with the two companies to study how to use existing technology to develop a new low-band tactical signal jammer for the EA-18G aircraft. The project is part of the Next Generation Jammer blocker Low Band Increment 2 Demonstration of Existing Technologies (DET), which aims to enhance the Navy's understanding and application of modern low-band jamming technology, especially in airborne broadband low radio frequency (RF) bands, which face multiple limitations such as size, weight, power and cooling.
- Low-band radars have the ability to detect stealth aircraft, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and B-2 bomber. This makes the EA-18G Growler particularly important in combat, as it is the only aircraft in the U.S. existing inventory that is dedicated to electronic warfare. Signal jammers that can counter these radars are urgently needed to ensure the survival and effectiveness of stealth aircraft in combat.
- The project will also adopt an open system architecture to enable easy upgrades to the tactical signal jammer subsystem in the future. This flexibility is critical to adapt to the changing threat environment. Navy officials said they hope to develop and deploy SWaP-optimized low-band tactical RF jammers as soon as possible to enhance electronic warfare capabilities.
Contract Details and Implementation
L-3 and Northrop Grumman were awarded $35.8 million and $35.2 million, respectively, for a period of two years. Contractors will work with the Navy to identify milestones for integrating low-band tactical jamming technology into the Next Generation Jammer. This new system will replace the aging ALQ-99 tactical blocker jammers on the EA-18G, ensuring its effectiveness in electronic attack.
During the project implementation, L-3 and Northrop Grumman will demonstrate low SWaP transmitters in a pod that fits on the EA-18G Station 6. Their work will include enhancing frequency coverage, improving effective isotropic radiated power, extending spatial coverage, and ensuring spectral purity and polarization performance. Contractors will also capture existing data related to transmitter performance and evaluate the potential for rapid deployment of an open system interim pod solution.
Technology Demonstration
The Navy will conduct technology demonstrations on the Station 6 F/A-18E at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, which will replace the EA-18G aircraft for antenna and radar cross section measurements. Successful demonstrations of these technologies will lay the foundation for future electronic warfare capabilities and ensure the Navy's advantage against a variety of threats.
Through the collaboration between L-3 and Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Navy is actively advancing the development of a low-band tactical RF signal jammer. This project will not only enhance the combat capability of the EA-18G Growler, but will also pave the way for stealth aircraft to ensure their survival and success in modern warfare. The two companies are expected to complete the relevant work by June 2020, further enhancing the Navy's electronic warfare capabilities.
