GaN in Plastic Enables Next-Generation Radar and Communication Systems

Future trends for military radar require multifunction systems that combine radar, communications, and electronic warfare. This higher level of functional integration improves battlefield performance through heightened awareness, improved responsiveness, and mission execution. Integrated Top Side (INTOP) is one such example where the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is leading the charge in combining a “forest of antenna masts” into a single, multi-function Active Electronically Scanned Array System (AESA) aperture. Figure 1 shows the large number of antenna arrays and complexity of shipborne radar that can be dramatically simplified by the INTOP program.