As we enter the second half of 2014, our editorial calendar turns its attention towards the aerospace and defense markets, domestic and abroad. While defense spending may be lower than in the past (due to budget cuts and the end of two wars), global military expenditures still topped $1.7 trillion in 2013. Defense communications and RADAR systems continue to be driven by demand for next generation electronics with an emphasis on size, weight and price (SWaP). So the next three months are a great time to wave your mil/aero product flag in Microwave Journal.
August - Satellite and Radio Communications
The commercialization of space is well underway with companies such as SpaceX, Boeing, ULA and Orbital Sciences developing and providing launch vehicles and spacecraft being used by both government entities, as well as private, commercial customers. NASA is also contributing to this movement, as it has produced the Nanosatellite Launch Adapter System (NLAS) enabling small satellites to be launched as secondary payloads on major launch vehicles. In our cover feature, “Antenna Design Challenges for New-Generation Mini Satellites ” by David Farr and Bill Henderson from Haigh-Farr look at the challenges facing standardization of the mini-satellite's infrastructure and communication capabilities with a focus on antennas. Also along this theme, we present a technical feature on Metamaterial Steered Antennas for Satellites. On the test and measurement side serving the satellite and radio communications markets, we have a product feature on a VNA Extension to 145 GHz by Anritsu and technical feature on phase noise measurements from Holzworth.
August Supplement - Military Microwaves
The cover story features work from Millitech (Smiths Microwave Company) and L-3 Communication Systems-West on scalable, mobile, self-forming and managing network of millimeter-wave air-to-air and air-to-ground gigabit class data links based on DARPA’s Mobile Hotspots Program, which will provide high-bandwidth communications for troops in remote forward operating locations. RADAR design and test (NI/AWR) and the co-existence of LTE and RADAR testing (Rohde & Schwarz) are themes explored in this issue as well as a cost-effective development and verification system for electronic warfare (Agilent).
September - EuMW Show Issue
To commemorate the European Microwave Week, we explore some of the work from the European Defence Agency (EDA) with a cover feature by Ignacio Montiel-Sanchez of the EDA on “Facing RF Sensors Systems challenges and innovation through European collaboration in Defence.” This article will examine the interest in standard architectures based on building blocks developed through system engineering approaches and how the involvement of scientists and engineers has to adequately be taken into account in order to optimize the results and processes in the European Supply Chain.