ELTA North America has secured an $11-million US Navy contract to support the development and production of airborne stand-off communications jammers as part of the service’s SOJ Jets electronic warfare program. The initiative is aimed at countering adversary communications in complex and contested electromagnetic battlespaces.
The contract tasks ELTA with creating HF/UHF stand-off jammer systems capable of disrupting critical enemy communication links while enhancing the survivability of navy fighter aircraft. These jammers will be integrated into operational aircraft, providing electronic attack effects from extended ranges that keep platforms outside the most dangerous threat areas.
The Stand-off Jammer Jets program supports a wider modernization push to enhance airborne electronic attack for naval aviation, benefiting carrier strike operations and joint force missions. Stand-off jamming allows aircraft to interfere with enemy networks without penetrating heavily defended airspace, making it a key component of modern electronic warfare doctrine.
The effort complements the navy’s Next Generation Jammer program, which is replacing legacy systems such as the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System. The NGJ Mid-Band system achieved operational status in late 2024 aboard EA-18G Growlers, offering increased power and adaptability. In parallel, the navy continues to invest in training and test infrastructure, highlighted by a long-term SOJ services contract awarded to Textron’s ATAC in 2025, supporting fleet electronic warfare readiness through the end of the decade.
