Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, has been awarded a $192 million contract by the U.S. Navy to develop the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Expansion (NGJ-MBX).
This upgrade will enhance the capabilities of the existing Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system, extending its frequency range to counter a wider array of threats.
Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, emphasized the importance of this development in supporting the U.S. Navy’s mission readiness. “Offensive Electronic Attack provides a tremendous combat capability supporting strike packages and kinetic weapons across a broad range of missions,” said Borgonovi. “With this upgrade, we’ll ensure our naval aviators in all theaters are better prepared to counter new adversary threats and provide greater combat power throughout their missions.”
The NGJ-MBX modification will build on the existing capabilities of the NGJ-MB, which is a collaborative development program with the Royal Australian Air Force. The system is an airborne electronic attack technology consisting of two pods equipped with active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs) that radiate signals in the mid-band frequency range. This advanced jamming capability is employed on the EA-18G GROWLER aircraft to neutralize sophisticated electronic warfare threats.
The expanded frequency range enabled by the NGJ-MBX is expected to significantly improve the operational effectiveness of the U.S. Navy’s electronic warfare units. By targeting new and evolving threats, this enhancement will play a crucial role in ensuring that U.S. and allied forces maintain a strategic advantage in electronic attack scenarios.
Work on the NGJ-MBX contract will be conducted at multiple locations, including Dallas, Texas; Forest, Michigan; El Segundo, California; and Fort Wayne, Indiana, with the project scheduled to continue through 2027.