Harris Corp., in cooperation with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Ft. Worth, TX, and Rockwell Collins Government Systems, Cedar Rapids, IO, recently demonstrated a first-ever small diameter, multifunction advanced data-link prototype antenna that accurately receives signals from military communications satellites. The specialized, phased array antenna, developed by Harris, under a cooperative R&D effort with Lockheed Martin, is less than three inches in diameter and ideal for use onboard military fighter jets and for other tactical applications. “Harris is a leader in high performance, high density phased array antennas that cover a broad range of frequency bands and address the unique and harsh demands of space, airborne, shipboard and ground-mobile environments,” said Dan Pearson, president, Department of Defense Programs business unit, Harris Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD). “This first-of-its-kind, K-band downlink-capable, three-inch antenna opens the door to a wide range of new applications that will allow satellites in this frequency band to link with tactical airborne platforms, particularly stealth aircraft such as F/A-22 and F-35, which require much smaller, lighter antennas. We are pleased with the success of this demonstration and the strong cooperative effort among those involved.” The new antenna is the first small diameter phased array that can support air-to-air communications and also provide reception of K-band satellite communications signals. It was integrated with Rockwell Collins’ Single Channel Anti-jam Man-portable (SCAMP) Terminal down conversion and modem hardware. The antenna was subsequently able to support successful end-to-end communications at the maximum data rate of 2.400 bps.