Login
iscover
The US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a foreign military sale (FMS) contract modification in April 2020 to provide the Australia Defence Force with mounted and dismount variants of the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) systems.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Valued at US$29.9 million, this international JCREW FMS order authorised by NAVSEA includes JCREW Increment One Block One systems, as well as auxiliary kits, spares, and support equipment. Northrop Grumman Australia will also expand its in-country support capabilities to meet the ADF’s operational needs.
Roshan Roeder, vice president, communications, airborne sensors and networks division, Northrop Grumman, said, "This JCREW FMS order further validates the field-proven effectiveness of the JCREW systems for both US and coalition military operators to counter device-controlled threats, such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unmanned aerial vehicles."
The software-programmable JCREW Increment One Block One system uses an open architecture integrated design to maximise commonality across variants. Its software-defined nature enables new threat defeat capabilities to be rapidly deployed; allows third-party application providers to easily integrate with JCREW systems; and reduces overall life cycle costs. Northrop Grumman works closely with the US Navy to add new counter-communications capabilities to address emerging and future threats.
"We continue to work closely with our US Navy partners to deliver JCREW systems that will help US and allied warfighters maintain the tactical advantage needed to succeed across today’s technology driven battlespace," Roeder added.
Chris Deeble, chief executive of Northrop Grumman Australia, expanded on the comments of Roeder, saying, "Northrop Grumman Australia is ready to support our US counterparts with the introduction of JCREW into operational service. These JCREW systems will provide Australia with additional operational capability and expand Northrop Grumman’s support to the Australian Defence Force."
Northrop Grumman began full-rate production for JCREW in 2017. Work on this Australian FMS order will take place in San Diego and is expected to be completed in 2022.
Australia is looking to purchase 850 Northrop Grumman-produced JCREW Increment 1 Block 1 (JCREW I1B1) systems and associated equipment for $245 million.
The US will sell 533 vehicle-mounted and 317 dismounted variants of the JCREW I1B1. In addition, the sale package will include support and test equipment, spare parts, and engineering, technical and logistics support services.
The DSCA said in late-2019 following the announcement of the contract, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US. Australia is one of our most important allies in the western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the region.”
The JCREW I1B1 systems will provide Australian forces and vehicles with enhanced protection from radio-controlled IED threats.
Northrop Grumman has been named the prime contractor for the sale. The company will provide systems that feature an open architecture and can adapt to tackle evolving threats.
They offer protection to forces on foot, vehicles and permanent structures. The company was awarded a full-rate production contract by the US Navy in 2018 for the production of JCREW systems.
