Electronic Warfare Forecast
ALQ-176(V) - Archived 3/98
10 Year Unit Production Forecast
Outlook 1997 - 2006
Units
Production complete; on-going logistics support 15
Used for training EW operators 10 No Production
5
Forecast
0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Years
Orientation
Description. Pod-mounted radar jammer. Status. In service, in production, ongoing logistics sup-
port.
Sponsor
US Air Force Total Produced. An estimated 224 units have been pro-
Warner Robins Air Logistics Center duced.
Robins AFB, Georgia (GA) 31098
USA Application. Can be carried by the F-4, F-5, F-16, Learjet
Tel: +1 912 468 1001 35A, and Canadair CC-144.
Contractors Price Range. The cost is estimated at US$300,000 to
Hercules Defense Electronics Inc. US$500,000, depending on configuration selected.
13133 34th St. North
Clearwater, Florida (FL) 34622
USA
Tel: +1 813 572 1900
Fax: +1 813 572 2395
Technical Data
Dimensions Metric US
Weight:
ALQ-176(V)1 100 kg 220 lb
ALQ-176(V)2 144.8 kg 319 lb
Pod Length:
ALQ-176(V)1 202.2 cm 79.6 in
ALQ-176(V)2 263.1 cm 103.6 in
Pod diameter: 25.4 cm 10 in
March 1997
ALQ-176(V), Page 2 Electronic Warfare Forecast
Characteristics
Frequency coverage: 0.8 to 15.5 GHz
Power output: 150 to 400 W per tube CW Modulation:
Noise Pod:
Input Aircraft or ram air power
Output power ALQ-176(V)1 - 2.6 kVA/1.2kW
ALQ-176(V)2 - 4.5 kVA/2kW
Design Features. The ALQ-176(V) pod was designed to parameters and modes from the cockpit. The system has a
have a variable configuration, allowing for a two- or built-in test capability.
three-canister version. Each canister contains two high-
The ALQ-176(V) radar jamming pod is used for combat
efficiency, high-power, voltage-tuned cavity magnetron
evaluation and training exercises. The system can provide
(VTM) transmitters. These transmitters are designed
limited ECM support and standoff jamming in combat.
specifically to operate in the 1-15.5 GHz band.
The pod fits standard stores stations on most aircraft,
Additional solid state jamming components can provide a
enabling it to be used on fighter, attack, transport, and
jamming capability below one GHz.
training aircraft.
Depending on frequency band and tube selection, the
Operational Characteristics. The ALQ-176(V) has a
VTM transmitters can generate 150-400 watts of jamming
flexible design that makes it possible to change to new
power at efficiencies of 50-60 percent. Alternatively, the
frequencies by replacing the final output power tubes.
ALQ-176(V) can be fitted with an automatic power
The main design advantage of the ALQ-176 is the use of a
management system. The two-canister variant can
standardized transmitter. Transmitter spares, maintenance
provide 3.2 kVA input/1.6 kW jamming output, while the
costs, and time and training skill requirements are greatly
three-canister variant can provide 4.5 kVA input/2.0 kW
decreased by the standard transmitter design.
of output power.
The control panel is similar to the C-3361 used in the
ALQ-119. It enables the pilot to select operational
Variants/Upgrades
ALQ-176(V)1. Has up to three voltage-tuned magnetron transmitters.
ALQ-176(V)2. Has up to five transmitters.
Program Review
Background. The ALQ-176(V) was derived from the In 1987, Flight International won a US$97.6 million
Sperry Corp Support Pac (V) ECM pod and initially USAF contract for 28 Learjet 35A aircraft for electronic
planned for the low cost tactical ECM market. The Royal warfare and air traffic control training. Flight Inter-
Thai Air Force acquired the system as a low-cost and national flies its own aircraft, releasing USAF pilots from
simple way to prevent aircraft losses during ground attack training duties. Ten of the 28 Learjet aircraft are used for
missions. However, planners found the system useful for EW training. Onboard EW equipment consists of the
EW combat evaluation and training. ALQ-167 jammer, ALE-45 chaff dispenser, and the
ALQ-176(V) internal installation.
Funding
Initial development was company-funded. Current contracting is from Operations and Maintenance accounts.
March 1997
Electronic Warfare Forecast ALQ-176(V), Page 3
Recent Contracts
No recent contracts over US$million recorded.
Timetable
1978 Development began
Mid 1983 Initial development completed
Sep 1984 First contract to US Air Force
Early 1985 Sale to Norway
1986 Sale to Thailand
1987 Flight International contract, system flight tested on F-16
Worldwide Distribution
Canada. Carried on the CC-144.
Norway. Uses the system on its F-16s.
Thailand. Procured for use on its F-5 fleet.
United States. Operates units primarily on Lear 35A training support aircraft.
Forecast Rationale
The ALQ-176(V) has been flight tested on USAF F-4, Budget constraints are pressuring the services to increase
F-5, F-16 and Gates Learjet 35A. Canadair purchased one the use of simulation and training devices. As electronic
system for operational test and evaluation (OT&E) aboard combat becomes an increasingly important part of tactical
a Canadair CC-144 Challenger, but did not procure any planning, opportunities for this and similar systems will
units. Norway and the Royal Thai Air Force have increase. These training and testing systems do not have
completed procurement of the system for their F-16 and F- to be as complex as fully operational jammers because, in
5 fleets. the peacetime environment, many frequencies and techni-
ques cannot be used without interfering with commercial
The ALQ-176 is relatively low cost, flexible, and can be
communications and other electronics.
adapted to many older aircraft. The system continues to
fill an important market niche for many users. It can be Thailand purchased a small number, estimated to be
used for ECM training without wear and tear on more approximately ten, as an emergency protection capability.
expensive operational equipment, freeing the operational The units have been stored pending a decision.
jammer inventory for operational needs.
Competition in the self-protection ECM market is intense
Flight International leases its Learjet 35As to the Air Force among domestic and overseas suppliers. While Hercules
for EW training. The equivalent of 10 pods (about 60 continues to take advantage of an EW training and
receivers and transmitters, along with spares) were simulation market niche for the ALQ-176(V), the com-
purchased for this program. Hercules hoped to sell ad- pany would like to position the ALQ-176(V) at the lower
ditional systems to Flight International as the market for end of the EW market for Third World nations that cannot
contract training services expands among the US armed afford or do not need a more sophisticated and expensive
forces. A major new procurement has not taken place. system.
Ten-Year Outlook
No further production expected.
*****
March 1997
