Northrop Grumman to provide open-systems electronic warfare (EW) jammers to foil radio-controlled IEDs
WASHINGTON –Electronic warfare (EW) experts at Northrop Grumman Corp. are building additional open-architecture RF jammers for infantry, land vehicles, and fixed sites to protect U.S. and allied warfighters from radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Officials of the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington announced a $96.5 million order Friday to the Northrop Grumman Mission Systems segment in Herndon, Va., for Joint Counter-Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) increment one block one (I1B1) systems full-rate production.
The JCREW I1B1, formerly known as JCREW 3.3, is the first-generation system that develops a common open architecture across all three capabilities and provides protection for worldwide military operations, officials say.
This integrated design makes the most of commonality across all capabilities, reduces life cycle costs, and provides increased protection against worldwide threats, Navy officials say. It is for the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, and is under supervision of Naval Sea Systems Command.
Friday's order is a modification to a $57.7 million contract announced in July 2017 for JCREW I1B1 full-rate production. Northrop Grumman also won a $23.2 million order JCREW I1B1 full-rate production order last December, as well as a $267.7 million JCREW I1B1 order last September. The original contract has options that could increase its value to $505.3 million.
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CREW systems provide combat troops protection against radio-controlled IEDs, and are designed to provide protection for foot soldiers, vehicles, and permanent structures, Navy officials say.
Among the JCREW I1B1 systems is the Northrop Grumman Freedom 240 for Counter Radio-controlled IED Electronic Warfare Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operation Capable (SOC), or CREW MEU.
The system jams a wide range of IEDs and creates a protective barrier around Marine Corps infantry and their equipment while minimizing disruption to friendly communications systems.
On this contract Northrop Grumman will do the work in San Diego and in Sierra Vista, Ariz., and should be finished by August 2022. For more information contact Northrop Grumman Mission Systems online at www.northropgrumman.com, or Naval Sea Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil.
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John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
