Ball’s antennas for NTCDL System

Ball Aerospace will work with BAE Systems to provide multi-beam phased array antenna systems for the US Navy Network Tactical Common Data Link (NTCDL) system, the company announced on 27 February. 

The NTCDL system enables multiple simultaneous, high-bandwidth communications links, to enhance current mission capability and ship protection, allowing for a future sensor network across the navy. Ball will build the Ku-band phased array antenna suite for BAE Systems.

The multi-beam planar phased array antennas are based on silicon germanium technologies on a single circuit board, which results in a low-profile antenna. The antenna will be able to communicate with a range of ISR platforms and will be installed initially on the US Navy’s aircraft carriers.

Rob Freedman, vice president and general manager, tactical solutions, Ball Aerospace, said: ‘We have worked closely with the Office of Naval Research to develop and mature the technology for these cost-effective phased array antennas which will play a critical role in the NTCDL System.

‘This is an example of how Ball's commitment to investment in technology development and collaboration with our customer is providing warfighters with a tactical advantage.’

The work represents the first phase of the programme which will lead to the low rate initial production of hardware with corresponding engineering support.