L3Harris Technologies (LHX) has announced a major win, securing a five-year contract worth $587.4 million from the U.S. Navy. This contract marks a significant step forward in the modernization of the Navy’s Aerial Electronic Attack (AEA) capabilities. The heart of the deal lies in the delivery of custom tactical jamming pods designed to replace the aging AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System. These pods, known as the Next Generation Jammer-Low Band (NGJ-LB), represent a leap forward in airborne electronic warfare technology.
The NGJ-LB is more than just an upgrade; it’s a complete transformation of the Growler’s electronic warfare capabilities. Its modular, open-system architecture ensures effortless updates and maintenance, making it a more efficient and adaptable system. The NGJ-LB also boasts enhanced processing power and significantly amplified jamming capabilities, effectively extending the Growler’s reach and effectiveness in suppressing enemy air defenses. This results in enhanced lethality and scalability for future technological advancements.
L3Harris’s system goes beyond individual aircraft upgrades, offering the potential for seamless integration with combined and allied forces. This paves the way for collaborative efforts and a more coordinated approach to electronic warfare operations. Over the next five years, L3Harris will provide eight operational prototype pods for the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, along with additional test assets to ensure airworthiness and design verification.
The NGJ-LB’s benefits extend beyond enhanced jamming capabilities. It significantly reduces aircrew workload and cockpit distractions, allowing aircrews to engage more targets simultaneously. The system’s high Equivalent, Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP) and tailored waveforms deliver unprecedented targeting precision and effectiveness. The cutting-edge technology behind the NGJ-LB also promises improved availability and sustainment, addressing existing system capability gaps.
The expansion of the electronic warfare market has attracted the attention of other defense giants, including RTX Corp. (RTX), Northrop Grumman (NOC), and Lockheed Martin (LMT). These companies are also actively developing and providing advanced electronic warfare solutions. RTX, for instance, secured a $27.7 million contract in August 2024 for its Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) System. Northrop Grumman boasts a legacy of over 55 years in providing Naval Airborne EW solutions and currently serves as the Airborne Electronic Attack System Integrator for the U.S. Navy. Lockheed Martin offers global ground EW solutions through its unique next-generation open architecture product platform.
In the past six months, L3Harris’s stock price has climbed 9.9%, outperforming the industry’s 2.8% growth. The company currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating a stable outlook for its future performance.
