Navy orders backpack electronic warfare (EW) jammers to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs)

INDIAN HEAD, Md., 14 March 2016. U.S. military explosives-disposal experts are ordering additional electronic warfare (EW) jammers for deployed infantry warfighters to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in dangerous parts of the world.

Officials of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Indian Head, Md., announced a $29.5 million contract modification last week to Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, Nev., for a yet-undetermined number of the AN/PLT-5 IED electronic jammer to support explosive ordnance-disposal personnel.

The order from the NSWC Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division is a modification to an original $14.1 million contract awarded to Sierra Nevada in 2009 for AN/PLT-5 IED jammers. Last week's modification is to extend the ordering period and exercise option year five for the procurement and support of the transmitting set.

The AN/PLT-5 is a man-portable system designed to help experts from the U.S. Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JSEOD) Counter Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (CREW) program.

The JSEOD CREW program provides all military explosives-disposal services with an electronic warfare capability to counter the threat from improvised explosive devices. The JSEOD CREW systems protect EOD forces of all services.

Related: Backpack jammers help Marines counter roadside bombs, disrupt enemy communications

The Sierra Nevada AN/PLT-5 THOR II is a man-packable jammer designed to counter radio-controlled IEDs to protect EOD technicians from IEDs and other deliberate explosive devices by preventing their initiation, while working in close proximity to suspect devices.

The THOR II AN/PLT-5 is one of Sierra Nevada’s electronic warfare and range instrumentation (EWR) product lines that support U.S. military contingencies worldwide and protect first responders against radio controlled improvised explosive devices.

Sierra Nevada's EWR software-definable systems support backpack, vehicular, fixed-site, and airborne applications. Collectively the Sierra Nevada EW architecture provides a foundation for networked and lightweight EW solutions, company officials say.

On this contract modification Sierra Nevada will do the work in Rancho Cordova, Calif., and should be finished by March 2017.

For more information contact Sierra Nevada Corp. online at www.sncorp.com, or the NSWC-Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division at www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/WarfareCenters/NSWCIndianHeadEODTechnology.