The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has transitioned an active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensor system to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, to support future defense research and development initiatives.
The AESA system developed under DARPA’s Arrays at Commercial Timescales – Integration and Validation program can simultaneously conduct radar, communications and electronic warfare functions at various modes, the agency said Tuesday.
“With the ACT-IV program, we were able to realize the vision of ACT by developing an advanced sensor system with ACT common modules,” said Tom Rondeau, ACT-IV program manager.
The ACT common module is an advanced semiconductor device from which large platforms can be developed.
“Transitioning the ACT-IV system to AFRL will enable continued exploration of digital, multifunctional RF technologies for defense needs,” added Rondeau.
Northrop Grumman served as the primary research team on the program and helped transition the technology to AFRL. DARPA said the ACT-IV program resulted in the establishment of a third-party developer community that has come up with new applications and tools.