High power Amplifier using Vacuum electronics for Overmatch Capability (HAVOC)
Abstract
The effectiveness of combat operations across all domains increasingly depends on our ability to control and exploit the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, and to deny its use to our adversaries. Below 30 GHz, the proliferation and availability of inexpensive high-power commercial RF sources has made the EM spectrum crowded and contested, challenging our spectrum dominance. The numerous tactical advantages offered by operating at higher frequencies, most notably the wide bandwidths available, is driving both commercial and DoD solid-state and vacuum electronic amplifiers into the millimeter wave (mm-wave) spectrum above 30 GHz. Control of the mm-wave spectrum necessitates advanced and increasingly more sophisticated electronic components and systems. The performance of these systems strongly depends on the available amplifier power which impacts how much power the system can radiate. The High power Amplifier using Vacuum electronics for Overmatch Capability (HAVOC) program seeks to strengthen our dominance of the EM spectrum and create overmatch capability by developing a new class of wideband, high-power vacuum electronic amplifiers. The size, weight, and power (SWaP) will be consistent with reusable airborne and mobile platforms enabling an increased offset range and the ability to engage multiple targets at the speed of light. Realization of wideband, high power vacuum electronic amplifier technology will require significant advancements in cathodes with high current-density and long lifetime, beam-wave interaction circuits with wide bandwidth and high power handling capability, wideband and low-loss vacuum windows, and compact magnetic structures for electron beam transport. The HAVOC amplifier will provide leap-ahead capabilities to air, ground, and ship-based communications, sensing, and electronic warfare systems. Opportunities for transfer of the HAVOC technology to the Services will be identified during the execution of the early phases of the program. The technology transfer efforts will follow a spiral development process to mitigate risk and provide the opportunity to incorporate new technological developments as they occur. Basic research for this program is funded within PE 0601101E, Project ES-01.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- bdf79cb10c6bfa56fc96edcf332cabe7
Related Documents
- Root: ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY