Focus: How Raytheon's Nex-Gen Jammer-Mid Band Pods Mounted on US Navy EA-18G Growlers Could Neutralize Missile Threats in the Middle East?.

On August 3, 2024, the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, equipped with the latest in electronic warfare technology, set sail for the Middle East. On board, EA-18G Growlers now equipped with AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB) pods represent a significant evolution in the U.S. Navy's ability to conduct electronic jamming operations.
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EA-18G Growlers now equipped with Raytheon AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB) pods (Picture source: Raytheon)

These next-generation pods, designed to drastically improve the Growlers' jamming and electronic attack capabilities, could be tested amid escalating tensions with Iran. According to Pentagon sources, this technological advancement comes at a critical time, as the United States anticipates retaliatory actions from Iran and its proxies following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The NGJ-MB pods are engineered to deny, disrupt, and degrade enemy technologies, including communication tools and air-defense systems. With operational capabilities at significantly enhanced ranges and the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, these pods mark a leap forward in modern warfare.

The AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB) pods installed on the EA-18G Growlers provide several crucial capabilities that can be particularly effective against missile threats from groups like the Houthis. Here's how these systems can intervene:

Jamming Missile Guidance Systems

Many missiles rely on radar signals for guidance during flight. The NGJ-MB pods can jam these radar signals, making the missiles less accurate and potentially diverting them from their initial trajectory. By disrupting the missiles' ability to receive clear instructions or lock onto their target, Growlers equipped with NGJ-MB significantly reduce the threat posed by these missiles.

Interfering with Communications

Missiles and their launch systems may depend on clear communications for launch and in-flight control. The NGJ-MB can interfere with these communications, introducing delays or errors in the commands transmitted to the missiles. This can result in launch failure or malfunctioning of the missile during flight.

Disrupting Ground Control Systems

In addition to targeting missiles directly, the NGJ-MB can also be used to jam ground control systems that coordinate missile launches. By sowing confusion and interrupting communication and data flows within enemy defense networks, Growlers can limit the adversary's ability to coordinate an effective missile attack.

Cyberattack Capabilities

With a modular architecture that can support updates and technological adaptations, the NGJ-MB can potentially be used for cyberattacks against networks supporting the Houthi missile operations. These cyberattacks could disable missile systems or corrupt the data they rely on to function effectively.

The importance of these pods is further enhanced by their integration with stealth F-35C Joint Strike Fighters also embarked on the USS Abraham Lincoln. This combination provides the U.S. Navy with unprecedented capabilities to penetrate advanced air defense networks and effectively protect American interests and those of its allies in the region.

The NGJ-MB uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas and a modular open architecture, which could allow for enhanced capabilities such as remote cyberattacks on hostile air defense networks and more advanced signal intelligence missions.

The EA-18G Growlers have been used in the past for non-kinetic electronic warfare operations, such as disrupting hostile communications and neutralizing remotely triggered improvised explosive devices. With the NGJ-MB, their role would extend to defending against sophisticated weapon systems, potentially including drones in flight, thus enhancing the security of American and allied operations.

As the USS Abraham Lincoln approaches its operational theater, the advanced capabilities of the Growlers equipped with NGJ-MB are ready to play a decisive role in maintaining regional stability and protecting against evolving aerial threats. The arrival of these technologies on the battlefield not only modernizes the U.S. Navy's approach to emerging challenges but also significantly strengthens the defensive and offensive posture of the United States in the Middle East.

Raytheon AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB) pods (Picture source: Raytheon)