WASHINGTON - General Dynamics Mission Systems has received a $184.25 million U.S. Navy indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for full-rate production of the Next Generation Electronic Attack Unit (NGEAU), NGEAU sustainment support, and future sustainment support for the Advanced Capability Mission Computer (ACMC).
The award moves NGEAU into full-rate production as part of the Navy's EA-18G Growler Block II modernization program. Work will be performed in Bloomington and is expected to continue through September 2032.
NGEAU is the upgraded electronic-attack processing element of the Growler Block II Phase 1 upgrade. The Navy says the system will use an Open Mission Systems (OMS) processor architecture and incorporate Multi-Level Security (MLS) and Multi-Tier Resource Management (MTRM). The upgrade also addresses diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages affecting the Growler's existing electronic-attack unit.
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The architecture is intended to provide a more current, adaptable processing foundation for the Growler's airborne electronic-attack mission rather than serving as a standalone jammer or sensor. The Navy's Block II modernization effort is focused in part on upgrading the aircraft's processing, apertures, and aircrew decision aids to maintain its electronic-warfare capabilities against evolving threats.
Block II Phase 1 also includes Reactive Electronic Attack Measures (REAM), which the Navy says uses cognitive electronic-warfare machine-learning algorithms to help counter advanced integrated air-defense systems by detecting and identifying unknown complex emitters. REAM is a separate capability from the NGEAU, although both are part of the same Phase 1 modernization effort.
The NGEAU production award follows earlier development, testing, and limited-production work. In September 2024, Boeing received a $95.9 million Navy order supporting development and operational testing of the Growler Block II Phase One upgrade, including production and delivery of 25 NGEAU A-kits, 15 NGEAU B-kits and nine B-kit spares.
The current General Dynamics contract is an IDIQ award with a maximum value of $184.25 million. The Navy will obligate approximately $40.06 million at award, including $29.69 million in fiscal 2026 Aircraft Procurement, Navy funds and $10.37 million in fiscal 2025 Aircraft Procurement, Navy funds. None of those funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
The contract was not competitively procured and was awarded on a sole-source basis under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), which permits noncompetitive procurement when only one responsible source can satisfy the requirement. Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity.
