A new electronic jamming device for U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler aircraft has won Department of Defense approval for Engineering & Manufacturing Development. The system -- Next Generation Jammer Increment 1 -- gained Milestone Decision Authority approval after Raytheon's development plans were judged as meeting the system's proposed cost, schedule and performance objectives and were in line with meeting warfighter requirements. "I am extremely proud of our team and our product," said Capt. John Bailey, Airborne Electronic Attack Systems and EA-6B Program Office (PMA-234) program manager. "The grassroots dedication, commitment of our personnel and the groundbreaking technology will result in a potent fleet capability." During the EMD phase the system will be further developed before being produced, according to Naval Air Systems Command. The capability is expected to reach its system-level critical design review next year, finalizing the system design and allowing for the fabrication and assembly of test articles. NGJ Inc 1 is an external jamming pod. It is being developed to replace the AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming system on the EA-18G Growler. The new system will use digital, software-based and Active Electronically Scanned Array radar technologies and provide enhanced capabilities to disrupt and degrade enemy air defense and ground communication systems.