ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer: On December 14, the U.S. Navy’s Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133) returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island after a five-month deployment, marking the first combat use of the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer (NGJ).
The squadron, which included 153 Sailors, 18 aircrew members, and seven EA-18G Growlers, left Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on July 13. During their deployment, they carried out missions across the Middle East, Eastern Pacific, and South China Sea, supporting U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and CENTCOM to improve regional stability and counter threats.
As per Defensemirror VAQ-133 became the first Navy squadron to use the ALQ-249 NGJ in combat, creating new tactics, completing the first arrested landing with the system, and using it operationally.
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The squadron also supported dual-carrier operations with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), carrying out combat sorties and strikes against weapons storage facilities to address Iranian-backed Houthi activities and safeguard U.S. forces.
According to an official U.S. Navy press release, during their extensive training and deployment, the Wizards showcased the future of Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) by creating new tactics, completing the first NGJ arrested landing, and strategically using the system in operations.
“This deployment showcased the cutting-edge capabilities of the NGJ and reinforced the critical role of the Growler community in modern warfare,” said Cmdr. Erik Dente, commanding officer, VAQ-133. “More importantly, it demonstrated the skill, dedication, and perseverance of every VAQ-133 Sailor and the families, friends, and loved ones who supported them at home. I could not be more proud of the Sailors, aircrew, and support teams who made this deployment an overwhelming success.”\
Next-Generation Jammer
Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ) enhances Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) capabilities to address emerging electronic warfare threats. It operates in three increments: Mid-Band (MB), Low-Band (LB), and High-Band frequencies. NGJ improves the ability to disrupt enemy air defenses and communications through digital software and Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technologies. It provides greater power, longer-range jamming, and rapid updates to counter evolving threats.
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NGJ is set to replace the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System on EA-18G Growler aircraft. As an external system, NGJ-MB focuses on mid-frequency bands and includes two pods per set, with minor modifications to the Growler for compatibility. NGJ-MB reached Milestone C in 2021, entered production, and delivered its first pods in July 2023 under a Low Rate Initial Production III contract awarded in March 2023.
Both NGJ-MB and NGJ-LB are joint programs between the U.S.
ALQ-249
The U.S. Navy NAVAIR website describes the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) as the next step in Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA). “NGJ is an evolutionary acquisition program providing capability in three increments: Mid-Band, Low Band, and High Band frequencies. Using the latest digital software and Active Electronically Scanned Array technologies, NGJ provides enhanced AEA capabilities to disrupt, deny, and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems. It brings increased power and jamming capability at longer ranges.”
The ALQ-249 is part of the U.S. Navy’s Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ) program, which aims to replace the aging ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System (TJS) used on the EA-18G Growler. According to Theaviationist, The ALQ-99, developed in the 1970s for the retired EA-6B Prowler, is being replaced as part of the Navy’s modernization efforts.
The NGJ program involves replacing the TJS pods, which operate in the 509 MHz to 18 GHz waveband, with three different types of pods. These are the NGJ-MB (Mid Band), also known as Capability Block/Increment 1; NGJ-LB (Low Band), referred to as Block/Increment 2; and NGJ-HB (High Band), or Block/Increment 3. Each pod targets specific sections of the threat spectrum: the low-band (100 MHz to 2 GHz), mid-band (2 GHz to 6 GHz), and high-band (6 GHz to 18 GHz) frequencies.
