According to information released by the Australian Minister for Defence Hon Linda Reynolds on August 10, 2020, Australia has expanded its partnership with the United States to develop the Next Generation Jammer system for the EA-18G Growler, carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft in the U.S. Navy. This unique, high-end capability can disrupt, deceive or deny a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications.
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Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. (Picture source Australian Air Force)
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said jammer systems used advanced electronic jamming technology to support the Growler aircraft.
Australia has now signed two new agreements to expand this partnership. The first includes production, sustainment and follow-on development of the ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer – Mid Band which supports the introduction of advanced electronic jamming technology, and will ensure Australia’s Growler aircraft retain commonality with their US counterparts.
The second agreement enables the development of the next variant, the Next Generation Jammer – Low Band. These systems will augment, and ultimately replace, most legacy ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming Systems currently used on the Growler.
The Next Generation Jammer - Low Band counters low-frequency adversary systems, increasing survivability and lethality of 4th and 5th generation platforms and enables all-domain access for the joint force by supporting electromagnetic spectrum dominance.
The EA-18G Growler is an electronic attack aircraft. It is capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems, including radars and communications.
11 EA-18G Growlers are operated by No. 6 Squadron based at RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) Base Amberley and operate in conjunction with air, land and sea of Australian armed forces. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was declared in April 2019.
