The Royal Australian Air Force has received its first Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pods from Raytheon Technologies, with additional deliveries expected later this year.
Developed jointly by the RAAF, the US Navy, and Raytheon, the NGJ-MB is an advanced airborne electronic warfare system featuring a modular open architecture, fully digital processing, and active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology. The pods will be integrated into the RAAF’s EA-18G Growler fleet to enhance its electronic warfare capabilities.
Australia has ordered eight shipsets, each comprising two pods mounted under the aircraft’s wings. These systems are designed to jam enemy radar and communications, enabling aircraft to operate with a reduced electronic signature and improved survivability in contested environments.
The NGJ-MB is intended to replace the aging AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System used on the Growler. After achieving Milestone C approval in 2021, the system reached initial operational capability in December 2024.
It forms part of a broader NGJ family that includes the NGJ-LB (Low-Band) and NGJ-HB (High-Band) variants. While NGJ-MB development is progressing, the NGJ-LB program was awarded to L3Harris Technologies in 2024 following prolonged competition, and NGJ-HB has faced funding challenges, lacking a dedicated US Navy budget since at least FY 2020.
