DTN News: ITT/Boeing Next Generation Jammer Team Wins $42 Million Navy Award To Mature Technology

DTN News: ITT/Boeing Next Generation Jammer Team Wins $42 Million Navy Award To Mature Technology

Source: DTN News / ITT

(NSI News Source Info) CLIFTON, N.J.- July 17, 2010: The team of ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT - News) and The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA - News) today announced an award of $42 million from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to proceed to the Technology Maturation stage of the Next Generation Jammer program, designed to be the world’s most sophisticated airborne electronic attack system. The program, valued at over $2 billion, will replace the current inventory of aging ALQ-99 jamming pods on the Navy’s newest airborne electronic attack aircraft, the Boeing EA-18G Growler. The Next Generation Jammer pod will also be a stepping stone to an F-35, Joint Strike Fighter, Electronic Attack capability. “Electronic attack capabilities have been integral in maintaining U.S. and allied air superiority in the past four decades,” said Chris Bernhardt, President of ITT Electronic Systems. “And, as the capabilities of potential enemies continue to grow, our own technologies must continue to outpace them.” The Next Generation Jammer will help ensure that U.S. forces have complete dominance of the electronic spectrum, providing a comprehensive capability to disrupt and disable enemy communications and radars. “Beyond its superior work in designing and delivering the EA-18G on-time and on-budget, Boeing brings unparalleled experience in pod design and systems integration, both critical aspects of the total NGJ package,” Bernhardt added. In the NGJ Technology Maturation phase, the ITT and Boeing team will conduct analyses and design of critical technology elements of the system to ensure the proposed solution is affordable, low risk and capable of delivering superior operational effectiveness. ITT’s solution will be based on significant technological advantages achieved in the critical areas of broadband electronically steerable antenna arrays and advanced digital exciters, providing the U.S. Navy the programmability, scalability, modularity and open systems architecture that will allow the Growler to stay ahead of the ever changing threat for years to come. One of the most important improvements will be ITT’s advances in broadband electronically steerable antenna arrays and advanced digital exciter technology. The Next Generation Jammer is also being designed with modular open systems architecture (MOSA), enabling simpler upgrades throughout the system’s lifespan. “ITT is regarded worldwide as an industry leader in successfully transitioning advanced Electronic Warfare technologies from concepts to fielded systems,” said Rick Martin, Director, Electronic Warfare Solutions, Boeing Phantom Works. "The ITT-Boeing team brings together tremendous resources to develop the NGJ and integrate it into the joint electronic attack system of systems.” The ITT/Boeing effort will be led from ITT Electronic Systems in Clifton, N.J. with work also being performed at Boeing’s Phantom Works facility in St. Louis. ITT Electronic Systems is a leading supplier of information and electronic warfare (EW) technologies, systems and services that enable mission success and survivability. Key technologies include integrated EW systems for a variety of aircraft, reconnaissance and surveillance systems for air and sea-based applications, force protection and counter-IED systems, precision landing and air traffic systems for military applications, and under sea systems encompassing mine defense, naval command and sonar systems, and acoustic sensors. Integrated structures produces aircraft armament suspension and release equipment, electronic weapons interface systems, and advanced composite structures and subsystems. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide. About ITT Corporation ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2009 revenue of $10.9 billion. www.itt.com