Australian defence contractor CEA Technologies has won a $277 million contract to provide advanced capabilities for Australia’s electronic warfare ranges.
The contract will include a number of fixed and portable emitters to support training activities and strengthen capability throughout the joint force.
It is the first contract to be given out under Project AIR 5349’s Phase 6, which will cost more than $2 billion in total and equip the RAAF’s 11 EA-18G Growler jet aircraft with modernized technology.
The EA-18G Growler is an electronic attack aircraft capable of disrupting, deceiving, or denying military electronic systems such as radars and communications.
New sensors, electronic signal jammers, and new, longer-range missiles are part of the modifications.
The enhancements also include facility upgrades at Amberley in Brisbane and the Delamere Air Training Area near Katherine in the Northern Territory, as well as modifications to the capability of the electronic warfare training ranges.
Along with other improvements, the Next-Generation Jammer Weapon System is being developed in collaboration with the US Navy to progressively replace the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System.
The Australian government said the initiative will guarantee aircraft compatibility with the US Navy.
The Hon. Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry, guaranteed that Australian firms would be involved as much as possible over the duration of this project.
“I’m proud that this project will continue to develop Australia’s own CEA Technologies, a world-leading radar technology company,” the minister said.
“We are delivering leading-edge technology the RAAF needs to face an increasingly complex and uncertain strategic environment,” he added.
