ITT Exelis Completes Testing of Next Generation Jammer Array Transmitter Technology

CLIFTON, N.J. - As part of the U.S. Navy Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) program’s technology maturation phase, the team of ITT Exelis and Boeing has successfully completed testing of critical components of the array transmitter technology envisioned for the NGJ, ITT Exelis announced in a Jan. 25 release.

The testing, observed by U.S. Navy representatives, successfully demonstrated multiple critical technology elements, including digital beam-forming, mid-band power amplifiers and high-band power amplifiers. These demonstrations were accomplished in accordance with program objectives to achieve a high-technology readiness level deemed critical to reducing future technical risk to the NGJ program.

The digital beam-forming technology demonstrated recent advancements made in broad band electronically steerable antenna arrays.  The technology developed for the mid-band and high-band power amplifier displayed high technical maturity and performance of state-of-the-art gallium nitride semiconductors, as well as the packaging and cooling required for a future NGJ array transmitter. 

“Our receiver exciter expertise, coupled with these recent successes, enables a low-risk transition to an integrated operational system,” said Bob Ferrante, vice president and general manager of the Exelis Electronic Systems’ airborne electronic attack business. “Our technology efforts are highly focused to ensure we address the evolving NGJ requirements.”

The NGJ will help ensure that U.S. forces have complete dominance of the electronic spectrum, providing a comprehensive capability to disrupt and disable enemy communications and radars.  Exelis, teamed with Boeing, leads one of four industry teams in competition to develop the final NGJ system.

The NGJ program, valued at more than $2 billion, will replace the current inventory of aging ALQ-99 jamming pods on the Navy’s newest airborne electronic attack aircraft, the Boeing EA-18G Growler. The NGJ pod will also be a stepping stone to electronic attack capability on other advanced platforms.