The US Navy’s next generation jammer mid-band (NGJ-MB) pod has completed its first mission systems flight with an EA-18G Growler at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland,
The first flight, conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 on August 7, is a safety of flight (SOF) checkout that ensures the pods can be safely flown on the EA-18G aircraft for follow-on test flights.
“What an incredible day for the US Navy, our Australian partners, and the Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) community,” said Capt. Michael Orr, AEA Systems (PMA-234) program manager. “We witnessed a successful first flight with the NGJ-MB capability fully integrated onto the EA-18G Growler, validating the last four years of development and the extensive efforts of these last several months in preparation. I’m extremely proud of the entire Government and industry team.”
The NGJ-MB system, developed by Raytheon, is part of a larger NGJ system that will augment, and ultimately replace the legacy ALQ-99 tactical jamming system (TJS) currently used on the EA-18G Growler. NGJ-MB is an external jamming pod that will address advanced and emerging threats using the latest digital, software-based and active electronically scanned array technologies and will provide enhanced AEA capabilities to disrupt, deny and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems.
The US Navy has partnered with Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force for work on the development of mid-band and low-band jammer technology.
“There was a lot of discussion on how the NGJ-MB pod would affect how the Growler handles and it was exciting to have the jet feel like any other flight,” said Lt. Jonathan Williams, VX-23 test pilot. “We have a great test team to thank for making today happen and I look forward to seeing how the Growler team brings out the full potential of the NGJ-MB pod.”
“The AEA community has been relying on the ALQ-99 TJS for decades,” said Lt. Jonathon Parry, NGJ-MB Aeromechanical Project Officer. “Gone are the days of isolated Surface-to-Air Missile systems that operate on a small frequency spectrum and do not integrate into a larger Integrated Air Defense System. Modern adversaries are developing complex emitters that use advanced techniques to defeat legacy jamming. NGJ-MB will provide new capabilities to the fleet to ensure spectrum dominance against current and future threats.”
