Four win awards for Jammer technology

Four major federal government contractors have won Navy contracts to assist in the production of next-generation technology for detecting improvised explosive devices. The contracts have a cumulative value of more than $23 million.

BAE Systems, ITT Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp. and Raytheon Co. were awarded firm fixed-price contracts for research support in developing innovative concept solutions at the system level that address Next Generation Jammer requirements.

NGJ technology can jam a wide array of remote-controlled IEDs, which can be detonated by everything from garage-door openers to cell phones. The Defense Department has been promoting development of the technology for several years. The DOD created the Joint IED Task Force in 2004 to solve the problem of roadside bombings in Iraq.

Northrop Grumman’s award is worth $6 million, BAE Systems’ award is valued at $5.9 million, ITT’s is worth $5.7 million and Raytheon’s is worth $5.5 million.

Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H.; Clifton, N.J.; Bethpage, N.Y.; and Goleta, Calif. The work is expected to be completed in July 2009.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.