The navy is preparing to build next-generation GPS signal jammer weapons

Electronic warfare has come a long way since Pentagon legend Paul Kaminski warned that “years of neglect” had left the US dangerously behind Russia and China. But has the Defense Department made the $2.3 billion a year increases in EW spending that Kaminski and the respected Defense Science Board said was necessary back at the 2014 Association of Old Crows conference, months after Russian jammers fried the Ukrainian army’s communications?

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded Northrop Grumman a $35 million, 20-month contract Oct. 25 to demonstrate existing jammer capability for the NJG-LB program. Northrop Grumman is the airborne electronic attack integrator for the Navy’s current EA-18G Growler electronic warfare (EW) system.

The NGJ system will augment, and ultimately replace the EA-18G Growler aircraft’s legacy ALQ-99 tactical mobile phone jammer system with advanced airborne electronic attack capabilities for defeating increasingly advanced and capable threats. Developed in three frequency-focused increments – high-, mid- and low-band – NGJ will bring a significant increase in airborne electronic attack capability to counter complex air defense and communications systems.

The Shtora is an electro-optical jammer designed to disrupt guided missiles. It’s not clear if the jammers were switched on, or didn’t work, when the Hawks Mountain Brigade opened fire. Russian media has also reported that the particular tank was an earlier version of the T-90, so more recent upgrades, such as the T-90A which boasts a modified turret, should fare better.

The Shtora is an electro-optical jammer designed to disrupt guided missiles. It’s not clear if the jammers were switched on, or didn’t work, when the Hawks Mountain Brigade opened fire. Russian media has also reported that the particular tank was an earlier version of the T-90, so more recent upgrades, such as the T-90A which boasts a modified turret, should fare better.

Why need new wifi jammer

The Next Generation Jammer is the navy's main effort to recapitalise its airborne electronic attack capability. The new system will augment and eventually replace the ALQ-99 tactical jamming system currently integrated on EA-18G Growler aircraft.

The navy plans to field the Next Generation Jammer in evolutionary phases, each focused on a different frequency band. Increment 1, an estimated $8.7 billion acquisition led by Raytheon, will have mid-band capability and will be outfitted on the EA-18G Growler aircraft as soon as 2022 - a recently disclosed one-year delay. Increment 2 is the low-band effort and Increment 3 will focus high-band frequencies; both will also fly on the EA-18G.