USAF explores radar for Agility Prime
Phase I prime contract from USAF will see Metawave modify its Spektra radar for potential use on eVTOL aircraft.
Metawave Corporation will provide a precision all-weather radar sensor for a next-generation electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, after being selected by the USAF as prime contractor in Phase I of the Agility Prime initiative.
An initial study will outline modifications required to the Metawave Spektra radar, so that it can be applied to development of eVTOL aircraft for passenger and cargo transport.
Following completion of Phase I, Metawave will apply for a Phase II contract to bring operational radar hardware to USAF personnel. The Phase II effort ‘will include a series of field tests of the proposed design array under a variety of varied situations and environments’, the company stated on 6 January.
Designed for use in the automotive sector, Spektra is an analog beam-steering radar with high angular resolution. Narrow beams enable it to quickly detect objects in a vehicle's FoV with very high accuracy at up to 330m range, Metawave claims, while avoiding interference.
Working with the Arizona State University Center for Wireless Information Systems and Computational Architectures, Metawave will modify Spektra to operate in 3D airspace and at longer ranges.
The USAF committed $25 million in FY2020 to help kickstart Agility Prime and it is seeking opportunities for early adoption, with the potential for procurement and fielding by 2023.
R&D funds for these new air vehicles are being provided by private investors, although the USAF (via its AFWERX innovation branch) will help finance testing, certification and procurement.
To date, AFWERX has awarded $38 million to more than 250 selected proposals for eVTOL technologies.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
-
![UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?]()
UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
-
![UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review]()
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
![US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities]()
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
