Marines reach deal for anti-IED jammers-in-a-backpack
The corps awards Northrop Grumman a contract with a $90 million ceiling for its Freedom 240 dismounted system.
The Marine Corps has awarded a contract to Northrop Grumman to provide backpack systems capable of jamming the signals used to detonate roadside improvised explosive devices.
Northrop will provide its Freedom 240 dismounted system, which is capable of jamming a wide range of IEDs while creating a protective barrier around a ground combat team, the company said in an announcement. Under the contract, Northrop will deliver five initial production systems for testing.
The lightweight Freedom 240 has an open architecture, which would allow the introduction of third-party technologies, and can be deployed around the world on various missions with only changes to its software, the company said.
The contact, called the Counter Radio-controlled IED Electronic Warfare Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operation Capable, or CREW MEU (SOC), is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple award with a maximum ceiling of $90 million over five years.
The Freedom 240 dismounted system is part of the Joint CREW Increment 1 Build 1 family of electronic warfare systems designed to protect warfighters, vehicles, watercraft and permanent structures from IEDs. The CREW MEU (SOC) and JCREW I1B1 programs are managed by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).