The US Navy has awarded ELTA North America an $11-million contract focused on the development and production of advanced airborne communications jammers. This initiative is part of the Navy’s Stand-off Jammer (SOJ) Jets program, which aims to bolster electronic warfare capabilities in modern combat scenarios.
ELTA North America is tasked with designing and fabricating high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency stand-off jammer systems. These systems are intended to disrupt enemy communications while enhancing the survivability of aircraft operating in contested electromagnetic environments. The jammers will be integrated into naval aircraft as part of the broader SOJ Jets initiative, underscoring a significant shift toward electronic warfare as a critical component of military operations.
One of the key aspects of ELTA’s development will be to focus on handheld communications bands. These bands remain vital even as jamming technologies evolve to target radar and higher-frequency signals. The emphasis on this spectrum highlights the Navy’s strategic approach to maintaining an edge in electronic warfare.
The SOJ Jets initiative aims to enhance airborne electronic attack capabilities across various military contexts, including carrier strike groups, expeditionary forces, and joint operations. Stand-off jamming techniques allow aircraft to disrupt enemy communications and radar signals from considerable distances, thereby keeping the jamming platform outside of immediate threats.
This development aligns with the Navy’s Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) program, which is modernizing airborne electronic attack systems that were previously reliant on legacy systems, such as the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System. Notably, the Navy declared initial operational capability for the NGJ Mid-Band system in December 2024. This system, deployed on EA-18G Growler aircraft, is reported to offer enhanced jamming capabilities and greater flexibility compared to older equipment.
Additionally, the Navy has taken steps to further its electronic warfare capabilities through contracts aimed at providing stand-off jamming jet services. In November 2025, Textron’s Airborne Tactical Advantage Company secured a contract valued at up to $200 million. This agreement allows the use of modified business jets to train and evaluate fleet responses to electronic warfare scenarios, ensuring that the Navy is prepared for future conflicts in a rapidly evolving landscape.
