The Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ) Mid-Band is stepping out of the EA-18G Growler aircraft, as RTX reconfigures the system for deployment with ground forces and naval platforms.
The system’s active electronically scanned arrays and supporting components have been modified so it can be mounted on tactical vehicles or surface ships, extending its electronic warfare reach into multi-domain operations.
Raytheon Electronic Attack Systems Director Chuck Angus said the land- and sea-based variant, known as Raytheon Surface Electronic Attack System, is designed to “generate non-kinetic effects to prevent adversaries from targeting high-value assets.”
The platform can be scaled and reconfigured further depending on mission requirements, including power and frequency needs.
In larger configurations, up to roughly 6 feet by 6 feet (1.8 meters by 1.8 meters), it can be mounted on unmanned vessels or even pickup trucks.
Built with internal funding, the jammer can also be operated via a laptop interface, enabling both defensive and offensive electronic attack functions using the same techniques derived from the airborne version.
“There seems to be a lot of demand in the system right now for non-kinetic solutions, especially when you’re talking about firing a bunch of weapons at low cost adversary threats,” Angus told Breaking Defense.
What’s Next?
While the system has yet to secure a military customer, Angus said it has attracted several requests for information from the US Department of Defense, focused on cost-conscious, operationally-ready non-kinetic capabilities.
RTX has already tested a demonstrator in the air that can interface with ground-based networks.
The system is now headed to the US Navy’s Point Mugu facility, a key electronic warfare testing site, for further demonstrations later this year.
“You can imagine that if you’re trying to protect an airfield, you can use it there. If you’re trying to protect an army or a marine outpost, you can do that as well. And then, if you want to put it on the surface of the water, there’s lots of ways to go do that,” Angus noted.
