Boeing EA-18G Growlers of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) No. 6 Squadron have begun operationally deploying the Raytheon AN/ALQ-249 Next-Generation Jammer – Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pod.
One EA-18G deployed on Exercise Diamond Spear – held at RAAF Base Williamtown, Newcastle in early to mid-May – was observed carrying a pod under each wing. The NGJ-MB system consists of two pods, typically referred to as a shipset.
The NGJ stand-off jamming system, which will also comprises separate low- and high-band pods that are currently still under development, is intended to replace the older AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System that has been fielded since 1971.
It employs digital software, electronically scanned arrays and higher power settings to disrupt and degrade adversary air defence and ground communication systems.
The RAAF aircraft was also seen configured with an ALQ-99 pod on its centreline station – presumably to cover other frequency bands, since the ALQ-249 is designed specifically for the mid-band range.
The sighting of the ALQ-249 pods on RAAF EA-18Gs is not new, with these having been observed at their home base of RAAF Base Amberley, near Brisbane, since November 2025.
While the pods may initially have been used for testing and the development of tactics, techniques and procedures, their deployment during the air warfare instructor course exercise suggests they are now being put through their paces in a more tactically representative environment.
Australia’s ALQ-249 programme dates back to November 2017, when the RAAF and US Navy (USN) signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop the NGJ-MB capability.
A few months earlier, during that year’s Avalon Airshow, then Defence Minister Marise Payne announced an A$250 million (US$192 million) investment into development of the system with the USA.
Raytheon was awarded a US$590 million contract to deliver 13 shipsets of NGJ-MB pods to both the USN and RAAF in 2024, with four of these destined for Australia. A US$580 million follow-on production contract for both services was awarded to the company in May 2025.
The delivery of ALQ-249 pods to Australia was confirmed by Raytheon in a 20 April statement. It indicated that “first delivery of shipsets occurred ahead of schedule in September 2025, with future deliveries continuing through 2026”.
The RAAF’s airborne electronic attack capability is centred on a fleet of twelve EA-18Gs, which it has operated for nearly a decade.
Australia remains the only operator of the EA-18G Growler outside the USA. The aircraft are currently being upgraded with updated sensors and jammers, new core processors, cockpit displays and other enhancements under Project Air 5349 Phase 6, in parallel with the USN’s Block II upgrade programme.
by Roy Choo
