Northrop Grumman continues low-rate production of RF jammers to defeat radio-controlled explosives
WASHINGTON, 6 July 2016. Electronic warfare (EW) experts at Northrop Grumman Corp. are continuing production of common open-architecture RF jammers for infantry, land vehicles, and fixed sites to protect U.S. and allied warfighters from radio-controlled explosives.
Officials of the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington announced a $103.4 million contract modification Tuesday to the Northrop Grumman Mission Systems segment in San Diego for low-rate initial production of the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare, Joint Crew (JCREW) Increment One Build One (I1B1).
CREW systems provide combat troops protection against RCIEDs. CREW systems are designed to provide protection for foot soldiers, vehicles, and permanent structures, Navy officials say.
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.
Northrop Grumman won a $14.1 million contract in January 2013 to complete development of the JCREW I1B1, Northrop Grumman officials say.
The order announced Tuesday is a modification to a $95 million contract awarded to Northrop Grumman last September for JCREW low-rate initial production. The initial contract has options that could bring its value to $213.4 million.
Among the JCREW I1B1 systems is the Northrop Grumman Freedom 240 for Counter Radio-controlled IED Electronic Warfare Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operation Capable, or CREW MEU (SOC).
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The system provides precision electronic jamming of a wide range of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and creates a protective barrier around Marine Corps infantry and their equipment while minimizing disruption to friendly communications systems.
On Tuesday's order Northrop Grumman will do the work in San Diego and Santa Ana, Calif.; Beaverton, Ore.; Rochester, Minn.; and Sierra Vista, Ariz., and should be finished by September 2018.
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.
