Raytheon Demonstrates Breakthrough Antenna Technology During Air Force Flight

(Product News, 30 Jun 2009)

During a recent flight test, Raytheon Co. successfully demonstrated breakthrough antenna technology that dramatically improves and delivers on the next generation of airborne communications for wide-body aircraft.

The Advanced Multiband Communication Antenna System (AMCAS), developed for the US Air Force, is an extremely low-profile antenna that significantly reduces drag on an aircraft. Attaching to the aircraft skin, the antenna extends 8 1/2 inches. This solution, which simplifies installation and minimizes time out of service, is an affordable alternative to today's antennas, which require more extensive and complex installations and extend considerably farther from the aircraft's fuselage.

During the test, the AMCAS antenna, which is being evaluated for use with the Family of Advanced line-of-sight Terminals, communicated with the Milstar satellite's medium data rate waveform. FAB-T is the Air Force's next-generation communications system.