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**Raytheon Secures Contract for Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) Pod Production**
In a significant development for modern electronic warfare capabilities, Raytheon Technologies has secured a major contract to produce the Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pods for the U.S. Navy. This milestone marks a critical step forward in enhancing the U.S. military's ability to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum and counter increasingly sophisticated threats in contested environments.
### **The Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB): A Game-Changer in Electronic Warfare**
The NGJ-MB is a state-of-the-art electronic attack system designed to replace the aging ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, which has been in service since the 1970s. The NGJ-MB is part of a broader Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ) program, which includes additional low-band and high-band variants to provide comprehensive coverage across the electromagnetic spectrum.
The NGJ-MB pod is specifically engineered to disrupt, degrade, and deny adversary communications, radar, and other electronic systems operating in the mid-band frequency range. This capability is critical in modern warfare, where adversaries increasingly rely on advanced radar and communication systems to coordinate operations, detect threats, and guide precision weapons.
### **Key Features and Capabilities**
The NGJ-MB pod incorporates cutting-edge technologies to deliver unmatched performance in electronic warfare. Some of its key features include:
1. **Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESAs):** The pod uses AESA technology to provide highly directional and precise jamming capabilities. This allows it to target multiple threats simultaneously while minimizing interference with friendly systems.
2. **Software-Defined Architecture:** The NGJ-MB is built on a software-defined platform, enabling rapid updates and adaptability to emerging threats. This ensures the system remains effective against evolving adversary technologies.
3. **Increased Power and Range:** Compared to its predecessor, the NGJ-MB offers significantly greater power and range, allowing it to jam enemy systems from a safer distance and cover a broader area of operations.
4. **Modular Design:** The pod's modular design facilitates easier maintenance and upgrades, reducing lifecycle costs and ensuring long-term operational effectiveness.
5. **Integration with the EA-18G Growler:** The NGJ-MB is designed to be deployed on the EA-18G Growler, the U.S. Navy's premier electronic attack aircraft. The Growler's advanced avionics and mission systems complement the NGJ-MB's capabilities, creating a formidable electronic warfare platform.
### **The Contract and Production Plans**
The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Technologies a contract worth $650 million for the low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the NGJ-MB pods. This contract follows the successful completion of rigorous testing and evaluation phases, during which the system demonstrated its ability to meet or exceed performance requirements.
Under the
