AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation announces it has been awarded a contract to provide large broadband RF amplifiers to the U.S. Army. The contract is part of the US Army Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Systems Modernization Program at White Sands Missile Range, Electromagnetic Radiation Effects (EMRE) test complex in New Mexico, according to the company.
The company is working with TMC Design of Las Cruces, N.M.: the Prime Contractor of a six-member industry team tasked with modernizing the EMRE test complex.
“The $37M award was made through an open competition RFQ, and was based on the criteria of technical solution, risk management, past performance and best value. The US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) will manage the Modernization Program.”
AR is designing and developing two large RF solid state power amplifiers. The first will be a 50,000-watt amplifier that operates from 30MHz to 100MHz. This amplifier will also include a chiller to reduce operating temperatures. The second amplifier will be a 25,000-watt amplifier that operates from 10kHz to 30MHz.
Both of these amplifiers will replace older 10,000-watt amplifiers that have been in service for more than 20 years.
The EMRE Test Complex will highly expand testing capabilities for the U.S. Army. It will provide the Army with “critical cutting-edge capabilities to test and evaluate survivability and vulnerability of operational systems for electromagnetic radiation and compatibility, electromagnetic interference and discharge, and electromagnetic radiation hazards.”
