Northrop to Equip Australian C-130J Fleet with Advanced Electronic Protection Systems
Australia is taking a major step to enhance the safety and survivability of its C-130J Hercules aircraft fleet by integrating cutting-edge electronic warfare technology. The U.S. Air Force has awarded a $175.64 million contract to Northrop Grumman to equip the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130Js with the AN/ALQ-251 advanced radio frequency (RF) countermeasures system. The agreement was finalized through a foreign military sales (FMS) deal between the U.S. and Australian governments.
Under the contract, Northrop Grumman will design, test, manufacture, and provide ongoing support for the AN/ALQ-251 system. All related work will be carried out at the company’s facility in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, and is scheduled to continue until March 2029.
The AN/ALQ-251 system is specifically designed to enhance an aircraft's protection against a wide range of modern threats, especially those that use radio frequency and radar-guided technologies. It offers a combination of radar warning, precision direction finding (which identifies the location of hostile radar sources), and active countermeasures to disrupt or deceive enemy systems.
One of the key strengths of the AN/ALQ-251 is its ultra-wideband digital architecture, allowing it to detect and counter even the most advanced and agile threats — including high-frequency systems like millimeter wave radars. These types of threats are becoming increasingly common in modern warfare, making such defensive upgrades crucial for mission success and crew safety.
Northrop Grumman’s system also provides high levels of situational awareness for aircrews, giving them real-time information about potential threats in the battlespace. Moreover, it is designed with a high degree of commonality with other U.S. and allied programs, which simplifies maintenance, ensures affordability, and allows for quick updates to respond to evolving threat environments.
Australia’s current C-130J Hercules fleet includes 12 aircraft, which have been in service since 1999. The government has recently committed to expanding the fleet with 20 additional C-130Js, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027. Outfitting these aircraft with state-of-the-art self-protection systems reflects Australia’s broader strategy of ensuring its airlift capabilities remain effective in both humanitarian and combat missions across the Indo-Pacific region.
From a strategic perspective, this upgrade enhances not just the RAAF’s tactical mobility, but also its ability to operate in more contested and electronically challenged environments. Whether conducting disaster relief operations, troop transport, or strategic resupply, these aircraft will now be significantly more capable of protecting themselves against hostile threats.
In the bigger picture, this collaboration strengthens U.S.-Australia defense ties and supports a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. By equipping its airlift fleet with modern countermeasures, Australia is signaling its intent to remain a capable and adaptable player in the region’s evolving security landscape.
