Next-Generation Jammer Takes Shape

Aviation Week and Space Technology ^ | 1/22/2010 | David A. Fulghum

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Many of the tools for airborne electronic warfare and attack are aging and lack flexibility. At the same time, new off-the-shelf technologies used by irregular and conventional foes—ranging from low-power command-and-control communications to advanced, long-range anti-aircraft missiles—are increasingly sophisticated, making it more expensive and time-consuming to find, analyze and counter them.

Developers are in a quandary about which technologies to pursue first, a problem compounded by a lack of agreement among the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army about how to address common problems.

Faced with this swiftly changing environment, the Navy is searching for solutions within the framework of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) program. Electronic warfare (EW) and attack (EA) specialists are sorting through advanced technologies being offered by four industry teams: Northrop-Grumman, BAE Systems, ITT/Boeing and Raytheon. NGJ is expected to become the basis for a family of open-architecture, software-driven, high- and managed-power, easily updated EW/EA systems that could enable electronic attack from longer ranges than is possible today.

There are no requirements yet, but an inventory of emerging capabilities is underway. There are some obvious needs as well as a mind-bending list of options. Software-programmable radios—despite JTRS’s (Joint Tactical Radio System’s) history of development delays—will roughly be the model. Initially, at least, NGJ is focused on the non-penetrating, non-escorting, standoff electronic jamming role.

Stealth would be helpful, but is not a requirement for electronic attack.

“NGJ is updating the support jamming capability for protecting other aircraft,” says Christopher Carlson, director of U.S. business development for ITT’s integrated EW systems. “In support and electronic attack, we’re not the aircraft that is in danger. We’re off to the side protecting a force going in. Instead of asking each airplane, including those without stealth, to beat [an advanced anti-aircraft missile system], we’re going to give capability to the protecting

[happinesswithoutpeace]

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[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

NEXT-GENERATION JAMMER TAKES SHAPE

As in, “Hey Longhorns! Hey Longhorns! We just beat the hell outta you...Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer - Give em Hell Alabama!

Couldn’t resist.

ROLL TIDE