The U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler new NGJ-MB jamming system achieves initial operational capability

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12 January, 2025

Recent conflicts, as well as potential future ones, highlight the need for new and more powerful electronic warfare capabilities to disable and degrade the defense systems of potential adversaries. This need, especially considering the war in Ukraine and a possible high-intensity conflict in the Indo-Pacific, is one of the current priorities for the United States Navy. This is evidenced by the recent announcement that the new jamming system equipping the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

241214-N-FG645-1261 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 14, 2024) Sailors prepare an EA-18G Growler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, to launch from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Three, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific in addition to providing realistic and relevant training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s timeless roles of sea control and power projection. U.S. 3rd fleet works in close coordination with other numbered fleets to provide commanders with capable, ready forces to deploy forward and win in day-to-day competition, in crisis, and in conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sheryssa Dodard)

Officially designated the “Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band” system (NGJ-MB), the ALQ-249 has been developed by Raytheon to provide new and more powerful electronic jamming capabilities to the EA-18G Growler squadrons deployed on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. With its introduction into Carrier Air Wings and Electronic Attack Squadrons, the Navy aims to replace the aging ALQ-99 jamming systems.

To this end, during the recent deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Middle East and the Pacific, aircraft from its Carrier Air Wing utilized this new jamming capability in combat operations. These operational tests, which marked the NGJ-MB’s debut, involved the EA-18G aircraft from the 133rd Electronic Attack Squadron “Wizards” (VAQ-133).

On this occasion, commemorating this milestone for the squadron, an official statement was made: “This deployment highlighted the cutting-edge capabilities of the NGJ and reinforced the critical role of the Growler community in modern warfare,” detailed Cmdr. Erik Dente, commanding officer of VAQ-133, in an official publication on December 17. “More importantly, it showcased the skill, dedication, and perseverance of every sailor in VAQ-133, as well as the families, friends, and loved ones who supported them back home. I could not be prouder of the sailors, crews, and support teams who made this deployment an overwhelming success,” he added.

Following this deployment and operational debut, on January 6, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced that the new NGJ-MB jamming system had achieved Initial Operational Capability. This milestone confirms that the design, testing, and production of this system meet the operational and logistical requirements of the EA-18G Growler squadrons and the carrier-based Air Wings.

“The achievement of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the NGJ-MB is a positive reflection of the hard work, innovation, and resilience of a dedicated team of government and industry professionals who have developed and deployed this critical capability for the warfighter,” said Captain David Rueter, Program Manager of the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems (PMA-234) program.

Photographs: U.S. Navy – NAVAIR.