BAE Systems’ R&D Unit, Office of Naval Research Partner to Develop Microelectronics for Electronic Warfare

FAST Labs, BAE Systems’ research and development unit, has received a $5 million Common-architecture Amplifier for Low-cost, Efficient, SWaP-Constrained Environments program contract from the Office of Naval Research to develop electronic components for communications, electronic warfare and radar uses.

Ben McMahon, the unit’s technology development manager, described the COALESCE program as a bridge connecting commercial electronics and customized electronics to help with the space and power needs of the Department of Defense by building innovative solutions.

The contract will see the laboratory explore the effectiveness of advanced gallium nitride-based monolithic microwave integrated circuit and module electronics in creating the highest efficiency high-power amplifier module. The solution will provide the U.S. Navy with longer-range capabilities and improved performance in electronic warfare, BAE Systems said.

Aside from securing an award from the U.S. Navy, the R&D organization is also collaborating with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in a contract it secured in May to build an autonomous space-based target tracking system.