Next-Generation Land Mine Jammers Will Be Linked to Network
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Design Innovations, ECM, Electronics - General, Explosives, IT - Networks & Bandwidth, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, R&D - Contracted
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The US military is working on the next-generation of jammers to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that pose such a grave threat to US forces deployed overseas.
The next-generation devices, whether mounted, dismounted, or fixed, will be linked by wireless communication to ensure that IEDs are detected and disabled wherever they are. Currently, jammers work in either a mounted or dismounted role, which reduces their flexibility and interoperability. With the new system, one device will be able to protect foot soldiers, vehicles, and permanent structures from IEDs at the same time.
The next-generation jammers, called Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.3 devices, will be based on an open architecture system of systems that will be able to exchange data.
Two companies recently won contracts to begin development of JCREW 3.3…
- Northrop Grumman’s Space and Mission Systems in San Diego, CA won a $24.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for all material and services to support system development and demonstration phase through preliminary design review for the 3 capabilities (dismounted, mounted and fixed site) of the JCREW 3.3 system. Northrop Grumman will perform the work in San Diego, CA (84%); Sierra Vista, AZ (14%); and Kileen, TX (2%), and expects to complete it by March 2010 (N00024-09-C-6317).
- ITT Force Protection Systems in Thousand Oaks, CA won a $16.0 millon firm-fixed-price contract for all material and services to support system development and demonstration phase through preliminary design review for the 3 capabilities (dismounted, mounted and fixed site) of the JCREW 3.3 system. ITT will perform the work in Clifton, NJ (41%); Annapolis Junction, MD (30%); and Thousand Oaks, CA (29%), and expects to complete it by March 2010 (N00024-09-C-6316).
These contracts were competitively procured via the FedBizOpps website, with 3 offers received. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC awarded the contracts on Oct 1/09.
ITT is no stranger to JCREW contracts. The company secured more than $1 billion in work on the JCREW 2.1 devices. The company estimates that it has fielded more than 20,000 JCREW 2.1 devices so far.
