Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is to help the USAir Force develop its concept for an airborne electronic attack system of systems.
While the US Navy plans to develop a dedicated EA-18G electronic-attack variant of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to replace the Northrop Grumman EA-6B joint-service jamming aircraft, the USAF plans to network a range of platforms. The airborne electronic attack system of systems is expected to include Boeing B-52 bombers with stand-off jamming capability, the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System, with recoverable stand-in jamming capability, Lockheed Martin EC-130H Compass Call communications jamming aircraft, and the Raytheon miniature air-launched decoy (MALD) and planned MALD-J expendable jammer version. The planned network will include USN EA-6Bs and EA-18Gs, as well as USAF and USN Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The USAF is to award APL a five-year, $10 million contract to support concept development and is expected to hold a competition to equip the EB-52 with low-band jamming pods.
Source: Flight International
