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.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.
-
German military introduces central command and new cyber branch
The German defence minister claimed the reforms would mean the 2025 military budget would require an additional €6.5 billion (US$7 billion).