OVERVIEW: The AN/ALQ-164 is an external pod mounted, active deception jammer.

DETAILS:  The AN/ALQ-164 integrates the ALQ-126B and ALQ-162.  The ALQ-126B Charger Blue  provides deceptive jamming against pulse-doppler threats in the E-J bands (2-18 GHz range) with a total output of approximately 1kW/band in a 60 degree beamwith. AN/ALQ-126B modes include mainlobe blanking, inverse con-scan, range-gate pull-off and swept square wave which make it particularly potent against established Soviet conically scanning systems such as the SA-6/Straight Flush tracking/illuminating radar or the ZSU-23-4P/Gun Dish fire control radar.

Because the ALQ-126B has no capability against CW threats, the AN/ALQ-164 pairs it with the ALQ-162 Compass Sail to counter pulse-doppler and continuous wave (CW) threats in the H-J bands (6-20 GHz range) in a 120 degree beamwith. It can be operated autonomously or integrated with a radar warning receiver.

NOTES: The ALQ-164 is primarily used on the AV-8B aircraft.



SOURCES:  Federation Of American Scientists -. "AN/ALQ-164." Accessed November 15, 2014. http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/an-alq-164.htm ; International Electronic Countermeasures Handbook. Norwood, MA: Horizon House Publications, 1996,  pg. 64-65 ; Friedman, Norman. The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapons Systems, 1997-1998. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press, 1997-98, pg. 539-40 ; Scramble. "Sanders AN/ALQ-126 - Scramble." Accessed November 15, 2014. http://wiki.scramble.nl/index.php/Sanders_AN/ALQ-126
