Northrop Grumman to equip Australian C-130Js with RF countermeasures

US defence prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by the RAAF to provide the AN/ALQ-251 advanced radio frequency countermeasures system for its C-130J-30 Hercules airlifter fleet.

The digital AN/ALQ-251 provides robust protection against advanced weapon systems and agile electronic warfare systems in dense electromagnetic spectrum environments.

“With the increase of advanced radio frequency threats, our digital AN/ALQ-251 system allows the RAAF’s C-130J fleet the freedom of manoeuvre to carry out its wide range of humanitarian and national security missions safely,” said James Conroy, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman.

The AN/ALQ-251 provides radar warning, threat identification, geolocation and countermeasure capabilities, with the flexibility to adapt to future threats, according to a Northrop Grumman statement. It is currently in production for the US Department of Defense.

RAAF C-130J-30 integration takes advantage of commonality with a current United States Department of Defense program of record, reducing lifecycle costs and enabling interoperability, says Northrop Grumman.

The RAAF currently operates 12 C-130J-30 Hercules, the first of which was delivered to 37 Sqn at RAAF Base Richmond in 1999. It will start replacing these aircraft with a new fleet of 20 C-130J-30s from around the end of 2027, according to Lockheed Martin.