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Raytheon Delivers Next-Generation Jammer Pods for Australian EA-18G Growlers

Raytheon Delivers Next-Generation Jammer Pods to Australian EA-18G Growlers
Raytheon has announced the delivery of the first Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pods to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for its EA-18G Growler fleet, marking a pivotal advancement in Australia’s electronic warfare capabilities. The initial shipment, which arrived ahead of schedule in September 2025, was publicly confirmed on April 20, 2026. This milestone follows the December 2025 sighting of an Australian Growler equipped with the ALQ-249 NGJ-MB (Mid-Band) pod.
Enhancing Electronic Warfare Capabilities
The NGJ-MB pod represents a significant technological upgrade, featuring active electronically scanned arrays that operate within the mid-band frequency range. This system offers enhanced jamming capabilities designed to neutralize adversary technologies more effectively across a broad spectrum of missions. Australia’s inclusion in the December 2024 production contract secured four pairs of these advanced pods, with further deliveries scheduled throughout 2026.
Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, emphasized the importance of this delivery, stating, “This advanced technology will greatly enhance RAAF’s electronic warfare capabilities, safeguarding vital assets on its aircraft and more effectively neutralizing adversary technologies across a wide range of missions.” The NGJ program itself is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Navy and the RAAF, with Australia actively participating since 2017 in the development of both the NGJ-MB and NGJ-LB (Low Band) variants. This partnership was further strengthened in 2020, reflecting deepening bilateral defense ties. The RAAF remains the sole foreign operator of the EA-18G Growler, currently operating 12 aircraft through No. 6 Squadron based at RAAF Base Amberley.
Replacing Legacy Systems and Addressing Integration Challenges
The NGJ is intended to replace the aging AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, which has been in service since 1972. The older system has faced increasing limitations, including interference with friendly radars, significant airframe load, and high crew workload, making it less suited to the demands of modern, network-centric warfare. The NGJ family consists of three variants—Mid Band (NGJ-MB), Low Band (NGJ-LB), and High Band (NGJ-HB)—each designed to target specific segments of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Despite the promise of the NGJ pods, integrating them with existing EA-18G Growler systems presents notable challenges. Ensuring seamless compatibility with other electronic warfare assets and maintaining operational effectiveness against rapidly evolving threats will be critical to the system’s success. The introduction of the NGJ-MB is also expected to have broader implications for the global defense market, potentially driving increased demand for advanced electronic warfare solutions among allied nations. In response, competitors may accelerate the development of their own next-generation jamming technologies to counter the enhanced capabilities offered by Raytheon’s NGJ pods.
As deliveries continue, the RAAF’s adoption of the NGJ-MB underscores Australia’s commitment to maintaining a technological edge in electronic warfare and highlights the growing importance of international collaboration in defense innovation.

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