BAE Systems wins DARPA contract to develop next-gen airborne signal processing technology
BAE Systems is working to reduce the size of correlators so they can be used on smaller airborne platforms or weapons. (Image BAE Systems)
BAE Systems has secured a $14 million contract from DARPA to develop technology for smaller, more efficient signal processing on military platforms.
BAE Systems will develop technology aimed at enabling the deployment of advanced signal processing and computation on smaller military platforms focusing on correlators which are used to compare, contrast and process signals.
The work is being done through BAE Systems’ FAST Labs research and development organisation under a $14 million contract for the Massive Cross Correlation (MAX) programme.
The effort will try to improve correlators, currently the size of a briefcase and power hungry.
According to BAE Systems it ‘is looking to develop analogue correlators with a similar or greater capability and reduce the size to that of a hockey puck’, a substantial improvement when installed on an airborne platform.
‘It will enable new capabilities including synthetic aperture radar image classification and image formation, automatic target recognition, passive coherent location and jam-resistant communications in small form factor platforms.’
Bryan Choi, technology development director at BAE Systems’ FAST Labs said: ‘Smaller and more efficient systems improve size, weight, power and costs to allow for full-spectrum signal processing closer to the edge, or onto platforms operating in denied airspace.’
‘This disruptive analogue correlator technology can result in enhanced decision making, allow mission-critical technology to be deployed on smaller platforms and create a new category of systems.’
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
-
![Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems]()
Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
-
![Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support]()
Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
