Cobham plc (Cobham) has received a contract modification from the US Navy to produce 51 ALQ-99 Low Band Transmitters (LBT) and provide spare parts for US$72 M. This contract, initially valued at US$37 M, was previously announced by the company in October 2008.

LBT is designed to protect strike aircraft, ships and ground troops by disrupting enemy radar and communications signals. Employed aboard US Navy and Marine Corps EA-6B aircraft, LBT currently supports Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. LBT will also be used by the Navy’s newest Airborne Electronic Attack platform, the EA-18G Growler.

LBT is manufactured at the Cobham Sensor Systems facility in Lansdale, PA. To date, 120 LBTs worth approximately US$185 M have been ordered, with 40 already fielded.

US Navy Captain Steve Kochman, Manager of the EA-6B program office (PMA-234), said, “To Navy and Marine Corps aircrew, LBT is the ‘weapon of choice’ for Global War on Terrorism combat operations. LBT has proven exceptionally reliable and mission effective with over 30,000 operating hours in just over two years since introduction. This latest contract, that includes GWOT Supplemental funds, will accelerate deployment of additional transmitters that will make US forces more capable and reduce reliance on legacy equipment.”