Element Level Digital Communications Array

The concept of distributed maritime operations is reliant on low latency and high throughput connectivity throughout the fleet to accurately utilize the available information at the pace of combat.  The use of multibeam phased arrays will allow the future force to operate multiple simultaneous data links from each platform, which will dramatically increase the connectivity, resilience, and speed of the network. Moreover, digital phased array technology allows for tremendous flexibility and future growth by substituting application-specific RF beamforming with scalable/upgradable digital processing. The proposed FIRST RF approach uses a highly flexible modular building block with design roots in high yield manufacturing.  The FIRST RF array architecture addresses the basic physics constraints of heat, space, and aperture efficiency found in all phased array systems, and has been highly successful in adopting best-in-class RF and digital components to maintain cutting-edge performance.