The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has contracted Northrop Grumman to upgrade the AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods for its F-16 aircraft fleet.

The contract requires the company to improve threat detection and jamming capabilities of the aircraft, thereby allowing pilots to operate safely in the modern threat environment.

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The company said that its digital receiver/exciter adds fifth-generation aircraft electronic warfare technology to the AN/ALQ-131.

Northrop Grumman programmes vice-president Dr. Robert Fleming said: “The digital technology in the AN/ALQ-131 upgrade provides a significant leap in capability for electronic countermeasures, giving RNLAF aviators a superior level of protection wherever their missions take them.”

To date, Northrop has fielded more than 1,600 ALQ-131 pods to protect aircrews and aircraft in every conflict.

Said to be one of the most successful ECM systems ever built, the AN/ALQ-131 pod is currently operational in the US and 11 other countries.

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Built by Lockheed Martin, the F-16 Fighting Falcon is capable of carrying air-to-air missiles and air-to-surface missiles.

"Said to be one of the most successful ECM systems ever built, the AN/ALQ-131 pod is currently operational in the US and 11 other countries."

In addition to AN/ALQ-131, the multirole fighter jet is compatible with other jammers and electronic countermeasures equipment, including Raytheon AN/ALQ-184, Elisra SPS 3000 and Elta EL/L-8240, and the Northrop Grumman ALQ-165 self-protection suite.

Northrop provides electronic warfare systems for a variety of aircraft and aircrews, including A-10, B-1, B-52, C-130, F-15, F-16, F/A-18 and F-35.

The company also provides systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernisation to customers across the world.

Image: The AN/ALQ-131 pod. Photo: courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corporation.