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.
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![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.
-
![Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy]()
Israel sets up new department to boost development of AI and autonomy
Israel will continue to develop autonomy for its weapons and platforms as it brings together defence personnel, academia and industry.
-
![Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s]()
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
![Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch]()
Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
-
![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.
