The next generation of military electronic jamming equipment will come from a Utah facility, thanks to a nearly $600 million contract awarded by the U.S. Navy.
Though the contract was officially awarded in September 2024, Gov. Spencer Cox and officials with L3Harris Technologies gathered on the tarmac near the Utah Air National Guard Base in front of a pair of Navy EA-18G Growler fighter aircraft Tuesday to celebrate. The five-year contract, worth up to $587.4 million, will see the production of eight prototype electronic jammers at the company’s Salt Lake facility, according to the company.
The Next Generation Jammer — Low Band (NFJ-LB) will replace the Navy’s current jamming pods and will provide better capabilities and a modular system for easier upgrades, said Lauren Barnes, L3Harris’ president of broadband communications systems.
“L3Harris is the trusted disruptor in the defense industry,” she said. “Our employees deliver energy and technology solutions, connecting space, air, land, sea and fiber in the interest of national security. One of those mission critical needs for the U.S. Department of War is the assured ability to deny enemy communications and conflict zones, allowing our troops to conduct their mission safely.”
Barnes was referring to the Department of Defense, which President Donald Trump has sought to change to Department of War through executive order. Congress has not yet authorized the name change.
Cox put it simply: “There’s a lot of bad guys out there, and the good guys are making the stuff that matters here in Utah.”
The project will result in some 200 jobs in Utah, with Cox calling the contract “an investment, not just in aircraft, but an investment in American workers, especially in Utah.”
“Utah’s workforce really is second to none,” the governor said. “Utah is consistently ranked as one of the best states for business, and our aerospace and defense industries are among the fastest-growing in the nation. L3Harris’ decision to expand this work here in Salt Lake City is proof of the trust that defense leaders place in Utah.”
L3Harris will deliver eight “operational prototype pods to U.S. Naval Air Systems Command” over the five years of the contract, according to a company press release. The new technology will support the Navy’s efforts to replace the aging systems in use.