Designed and built in Britain: developing sovereign RF technologies for UK defence
By Mark Whetton, Business Development Director, Filtronic
Building and growing sovereign defence capabilities is critical to the future security of the UK. Against a backdrop of growing global tensions, shifting geopolitical alliances and emerging technological threats, Filtronic is helping the UK develop its essential home-grown defence systems.
The threats we face today are more unpredictable and serious than at any time since the Cold War, with the Ukraine conflict, growing Russian aggression, unrest in the Middle East and new nuclear risks in the world, alongside daily cyber-attacks at home. The UK government wants to move the country to a state of war-fighting readiness, recognising that technology is key to gaining the upper hand in modern warfare.
In an era of volatile global relationships, the UK must work towards gaining technological sovereignty in its defence systems, minimising reliance on foreign supply chains that might be disrupted by conflicts or changing allegiances.
The critical role of RF in modern defence systems
Many modern defence systems rely on radio frequency (RF) technologies to deliver high-performance, secure and powerful communications. Advanced RF hardware is deployed in all conflict domains from land, sea and air to near-space environments.
For battlefield radio communications, RF technology delivers secure, resilient and real-time connectivity across vast distances in hostile environments. In radar and sensing systems, RF enables precision detection, tracking and targeting. In the growing field of electronic warfare, defence forces use the RF spectrum for electronic countermeasures, protection and attack. The increasing use of drones and other unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) similarly relies on resilient connectivity provided by advanced RF systems.
To increase the reliability, security and performance of RF systems in military applications, defence technologies have been moving up the frequency spectrum to use higher mmWave bandwidths. These bandwidths not only offer greater data rates but also more directional signals that are harder to intercept. Such LPI/LPD (low probability of intercept/detection) functions are critical in a war zone, where unreliable or intercepted signals could have devastating consequences. Already, high-power mmWave technologies are being used across radar, electronic warfare and secure communications.
Gallium nitride (GaN) MMICs are also being used to boost power and efficiency in RF defence systems. For military radar, jammers and electronic countermeasure systems, greater power means greater range, enabling a wider area to be covered by a single asset and allowing operatives to be located further away from danger.
Sovereign RF technology design and manufacture
Given the importance of RF technology for future defence systems, it’s vital that the UK has sovereign development and manufacturing capabilities. Filtronic provides that UK-based expertise and resource. We are the leading UK supplier of advanced RF components, from complex filters to integrated transmit-and-receive modules (TRMs), for today’s sophisticated defence systems.
We have a proud heritage in the defence sector since our inception in 1977, supplying advanced filters for electronic countermeasure systems on military aircraft. Since then, we have continued to collaborate and innovate with the defence industry, developing increasingly advanced RF solutions for surveillance, protection and communication.
Our vertically integrated structure means that every stage of the process, from initial design and MMIC development through to manufacturing, assembly and testing, is conducted within our own security-cleared facilities – all located in the UK.
At higher frequencies, it becomes increasingly difficult to manufacture devices consistently at scale. Very few companies can produce large volumes of these complex systems at high yields with minimal wastage. Our manufacturing capabilities allow us to rapidly develop such products from early Technology Readiness Level (TRL) prototypes through to high-volume production in the same UK facility. It means we can help our defence clients deploy game-changing new mmWave systems at speed and scale.
Trusted to perform on the frontline
Filtronic RF technologies have been proven time and again to perform reliably in the most challenging real-world conditions. Among the technologies we have deployed for the defence sector are switched filter banks, which combine switches and filters in a single compact module – reducing power consumption and enhancing reliability.
We have pioneered plastic packaging for high-power semiconductor devices, such as TRMs. These robust encapsulation systems help to optimise the size, weight, power and cost (SWAP-C) of high-density packaging for radar systems. We also offer a box-build service, enabling us to provide customised communications-equipment housings that can be manufactured at scale.
As more communications applications look to space to provide ubiquitous connectivity, Filtronic is helping the defence industry capitalise on these opportunities. By developing space-compatible RF systems for ground and payload applications, we’re helping the UK build resilient military communications networks and maintain powerful surveillance and monitoring capabilities.
For a sector where performance and reliability are paramount, we conduct exacting in-house testing on all mission-critical systems. Tests include rigorous environmental and stress testing in arduous conditions, thermal testing and electrical testing up to 175GHz. All our complex products can be tested to MIL-STD-883 and MIL-STD-750 to provide the quality assurances demanded by the sector.
Working together for future UK security
Rising to the challenges of global unrest, geopolitical uncertainty and new technological threats requires ongoing collaboration between government, the defence industry, businesses and technology leaders within the UK.
Filtronic has been an active partner and innovation leader in the UK defence sector for almost half a century. Our long track record of collaboration and problem-solving includes working with national defence ministries and departments, including DSTL and DASA, defence research associations and major defence primes, such as BAE Systems, Airbus, QinetiQ and Leonardo.
We have led advances in higher frequency applications, moving systems up into the mmWave spectrum, and will continue to push the boundaries of RF technology to ensure the UK defence sector is powerfully equipped for the modern age.
To support the UK in this new era for defence, Filtronic build relationships and collaborate with organisations throughout the sector to ensure the UK continues to stay one-step ahead of its adversaries.
Unlock the potential of the leading Sovereign supplier of high-performance RF. Get in touch with our experts to discover how Filtronic’s innovative solutions can meet your specific needs.
For more information about Filtronic’s range of components and solutions, visit the website here. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of the team on +44 (0)1740 618 800.
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