The US Navy declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system in December 2024, US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) reported on 6 January 2025.
NAVAIR said the advent of the NGJ-MB system brings “a quantum leap in capability over legacy systems with drastic increases in power, target flexibility and jamming technique for naval aviation operations worldwide”.
“Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band improves our fleet’s warfighting advantage in the electromagnetic spectrum,” Rear Admiral John Lemmon, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs in the US Navy (USN), was quoted as saying. “This system provides enhanced capabilities to deny, distract and disorient adversaries’ radars, protecting our naval aviators and allowing them to carry out their missions in contested airspace,” he added.
The USN fleet got a preview of the jammer’s high-end capabilities during the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group’s five-month deployment in 2024. Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133) deployed with the system aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), marking the first time the NGJ-MB system was used both deployed and in combat.
IOC signals that the design, testing and production of the NGJ-MB meet the logistical needs of the USN’s carrier air wings and EA-18G Growler squadrons.
Developed by RTX Corporation’s Raytheon business, the NGJ-MB system is part of a larger NGJ system that will augment and ultimately replace the legacy ALQ-99 tactical jamming system currently used on the EA-18G Growler. The NGJ-MB uses the latest digital, software-based and electronically scanned-array technologies and provides enhanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) capabilities to disrupt, deny and degrade enemy air defence and ground communication systems.
“NGJ-MB will boost our fleet’s ability to maintain spectrum dominance. Yielding new capabilities is critical for addressing current and future threats. The era of isolated surface-to-air missile systems, which operate within a non-agile and limited frequency range, is behind us,” stated Lieutenant Commander Michael Bedwell, EA-18G Naval Flight Officer and NGJ-MB Deputy Integrated Product Team Lead.
The Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Program Office (PMA-234) is responsible for acquiring, delivering and sustaining the USN’s AEA systems. PMA-234 programme manager Captain David Rueter was quoted by NAVAIR as saying, “What an incredible day for the US Navy, our Australian partners, and the Airborne Electronic Attack community. The achievement of NGJ-MB IOC is a positive reflection on the hard work, innovation and resilience from a dedicated team of government and industry professionals who have developed and fielded this critical capability to the warfighters.”
The Royal Australian Air Force has contributed USD 250 million (EUR 243 million) towards the NGJ programme.
In December 2024 the USN awarded Raytheon a USD 590 million follow-on production contract for the NGJ-MB system.
