Raytheon working on NGR technology
Raytheon and the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) have entered a collaborative alliance through a $1.1 million grant to develop Scalable, Agile, Multimode, Front End Technology (SAFMET) for the army's Next Generation Radar (NGR) programme, the company announced on 11 July.
The 24-month cooperative research agreement will see Raytheon and ARL work together to design, develop and demonstrate modular components that can be integrated with NGR systems. The agreement comes under the ARL's Advanced RF Technologies programme.
NGR will enhance the performance of radar-reliant air defence and counter rocket and mortar systems, especially in portable configuration such as airborne, vehicle-mounted and handheld deployments.
Colin Whelan, vice president of advanced technology at Raytheon, said that the team will work with the ARL to leverage Raytheon's investment in gallium nitride (GaN) technology to improve radar capabilities.
GaN is a semiconductor material that amplifies high-power signals at microwave frequencies. It enables radars to operate significantly more powerfully than with older semiconductor technology, without overheating. Raytheon's GaN components generate radio frequency at a third of the cost per watt, as compared to gallium arsenide alternatives. They also have a demonstrated mean time between failures at 100 million hours.
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
