AN/ALQ-131(V) Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) Pod

Revolutionized through digital technology

The AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pod is the most successful ECM system ever built. Northrop Grumman has fielded more than 1,600 ALQ-131 pods, which used state-of-the-art technology to successfully protect aircrews and aircraft in every conflict since becoming operational.

To stay ahead of new and emerging threats with advanced capabilities, Northrop Grumman revolutionized the ALQ-131 through the insertion of digital technology. The architecture is a derivative of technologies from the most capable fighter aircraft, including F-16 Block 60 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. This upgrade does not change the pod's size, weight or power requirements; neither does it induct any mandatory aircraft modification.

Demonstrated benefits of the ALQ-131(V)

Detects and identifies known, emerging and future threats in a dense, complex threat environment with accurate parametric measurements
Defeats threat system by applying the optimal coherent and/or non-coherent jamming technique
Increases Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) by a factor of three
BIT effectiveness greater than 95% with 90% confidence of isolating the fault
New Growth Interfaces (Mil-STD-1553 and Ethernet) to facilitate communication with other on board systems.
RF Compatibility with modern AESA radars
Significant improvement in MTTR

The ALQ-131(V) provides next-generation capabilities and performance

Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM)
High sensitivity digital receiver
Modern high-speed processors
High fidelity digital technique generation
Improved reliability by reducing total number of parts by a factor of three. Improved sustainability through modular design.
Reduction in life cycle cost

Northrop Grumman's capabilities in electronic warfare (EW), full-spectrum cyber and electromagnetic maneuver warfare (EMW) span all domains — land, sea, air, space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum.