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The United States’ Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded BAE Systems a $14 million contract to develop technology to enable advanced signal processing and computation.
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The research will be undertaken by the global prime’s FAST Labs research and development organisation for the Massive Cross Correlation (MAX) program, developing the advanced capabilities for deployment on new smaller military platforms.
According to BAE Systems, signal processing is fundamental to sensing, imaging and communications systems, and currently requires large digital correlators that are power-intensive and “the size of a briefcase”.
It is hoped that the new research will help maintain or improve performance while reducing the size of the correlators to the size of a hockey puck.
The global prime also hopes that an enhanced correlator will enable new capabilities including synthetic aperture radar, image classification and image formation, target recognitions, and jam-resistant communications.
The new developments will improve mission-critical capabilities on the battlespace, Bryan Choi, technology development director at BAE Systems’ FAST Labs, explained.
“Smaller and more efficient systems improve size, weight, power, and costs to allow for full-spectrum signal processing closer to the edge, or onto platforms operating in denied airspace,” Choi said.
“This disruptive analog correlator technology can result in enhanced decision making, allow mission-critical technology to be deployed on smaller platforms, and create a new category of systems.”
The work is scheduled to include collaboration with the University of Minnesota as a sub-contractor.
In mid-August, it was revealed that BAE Systems had entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement for the acquisition of Ball Aerospace, part of the Ball Corporation, as part of a deal valued at over US$5 billion.
Subject to customary closing adjustments, the acquisition is currently valued at $5.55 billion in cash.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen BAE Systems’ multi-domain offerings, with Ball Aerospace providing mission-critical space systems and defence technology across land, air, and sea.
It currently has customer relationships with the US Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and civilian space agencies.
According to a statement from BAE, Ball Aerospace will be an “excellent” cultural fit – boasting a strong track recording in innovation and product development and has invested $1 billion in facilities and capabilities over recent years.
“The proposed acquisition of Ball Aerospace is a unique opportunity to add a high-quality, fast-growing, technology-focused business with significant capabilities to our core business that is performing strongly and well positioned for sustained growth,” Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, said.
“It’s rare that a business of this quality, scale and complementary capabilities, with strong growth prospects and a close fit to our strategy, becomes available.
“The strategic and financial rationale is compelling, as we continue to focus on areas of high-priority defence and intelligence spending, strengthening our world-class multi-domain portfolio and enhancing our value compounding model of top line growth, margin expansion, and high cash generation.”
