The Silent Shield's Backbone: CPI Aero's Role in Next-Gen Jamming

EDGEWOOD, NY – July 27, 2026 – CPI Aerostructures, Inc. announced today it has secured a fully definitized $13.6 million contract from defense giant L3Harris Technologies. On the surface, it’s a contract for “airborne pod structures.” But in the intricate world of modern defense, this agreement represents a critical step forward in a multi-billion-dollar effort to ensure U.S. air superiority for decades to come. The structures CPI Aero will build are the physical backbone for the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB) system—a sophisticated electronic warfare suite destined for the EA-18G Growler aircraft. This contract doesn't just add to CPI Aero's backlog; it solidifies its position as an indispensable partner in one of the Pentagon's most crucial modernization programs.

Dominating the Spectrum: The NGJ-LB's Strategic Imperative

The NGJ-LB program is designed to replace the venerable but aging AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, a technology suite that has served the fleet for decades but is straining to keep pace with modern threats. Today's adversaries are deploying increasingly sophisticated, integrated air defense systems that leverage low-frequency radars. These systems are particularly adept at detecting stealth aircraft at long ranges, posing a significant challenge to the survivability of even the most advanced U.S. and allied air assets.

The NGJ-LB directly targets this vulnerability. It is an advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) system engineered to disrupt, deny, and deceive enemy radar and communications in the low-frequency spectrum. By creating a powerful “silent shield,” the system allows strike packages to penetrate contested airspace more safely. The technological leap from the ALQ-99 is immense. L3Harris’s solution employs a modular, open-system architecture with advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology. This software-defined approach is a game-changer, enabling the Navy to rapidly update the system's software to counter new and evolving threats without requiring costly and time-consuming hardware changes.

The strategic importance of this capability is underscored by the intense competition for the prime contract. L3Harris was ultimately re-awarded a five-year, $587.4 million contract in August 2024 for the program's Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, but only after a previous award was successfully protested by a competitor. Such high-stakes battles are reserved for programs deemed absolutely essential to national security.

From Blueprint to Backbone: CPI Aero's Specialized Contribution

While L3Harris orchestrates the complex electronics and software, the system must be housed in a durable, aerodynamic structure capable of withstanding the rigors of flight on a carrier-based tactical jet. This is where CPI Aerostructures demonstrates its unique value. The Long Island-based company is not merely fabricating parts from a finished design; it has been an integral partner since late 2024, providing critical Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) engineering support. This early involvement ensures that the pod structures are not only robust but also manufacturable and maintainable at scale.

The recent delivery of the first Test Article to L3Harris marks a tangible milestone, moving the program from digital designs to physical hardware. This $13.6 million contract will fund the operational prototype pods needed for fleet assessment and further testing, a crucial phase before full-rate production. For CPI Aero, this contract is a significant addition to an already robust total backlog of $495 million, providing clear revenue visibility and reinforcing investor confidence. More importantly, it highlights the company's ascent as a Tier 1 supplier that major defense primes rely on for complex structural assemblies.

“Working with our newest customer, L3Harris, on this transformational program has been rewarding,” stated Dorith Hakim, President and CEO of CPI Aero, in the company's announcement. “Knowing that our NGJ Low Band pods will join our NGJ Mid Band pods flying on every EA 18G Growler—supporting a mission that is critical to joint and coalition armed forces—makes this milestone especially meaningful.”

The Growler's New Teeth: Enhancing Airborne Electronic Attack

The EA-18G Growler is the U.S. military's only dedicated airborne electronic attack platform, a force multiplier that protects everything from F-35s to ground troops by dominating the electromagnetic spectrum. The addition of the NGJ-LB, alongside the Raytheon-built NGJ Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pods, will give Growler crews an unprecedented ability to counter threats across a wide swath of frequencies. CPI Aero’s role in manufacturing structures for both the Mid-Band and Low-Band pods places it at the heart of the Growler’s complete modernization.

The new low-band capability will allow the aircraft to jam multiple threats simultaneously from a greater standoff distance, significantly increasing the survivability of the entire strike package. With the NGJ-LB scheduled to achieve early operational capability in 2029, the Navy is on a clear path to fielding a comprehensive electronic warfare solution that will keep the Growler relevant and dominant for years to come. The program is also a testament to international cooperation, as it's a joint effort with the Australian Department of Defence, whose Royal Australian Air Force also operates the EA-18G.

A Ripple Effect in the Defense Supply Chain

This contract is a perfect illustration of the modern defense industrial base, a complex ecosystem where prime contractors like L3Harris integrate technologies from a network of specialized suppliers. L3Harris manages the overall system, incorporating its own advanced processing while sourcing key components like electronic warfare hardware from partners like Honeywell and the essential pod structures from CPI Aero. Each partner brings a unique, high-value expertise that would be inefficient for a single company to replicate.

For CPI Aero, securing this work on the EMD phase of a major program is strategically vital. It positions the company favorably for the much larger and more lucrative full-rate production contracts that will follow a successful development and testing period. This single contract sends ripples through the supply chain, solidifying a partnership that will support a critical national security asset and demonstrating how specialized manufacturing expertise remains a cornerstone of technological progress in the defense sector.