Boeing Delivers 1st Set of Phased Array Antennas to Raytheon

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has delivered the first production set of phased array antennas for the U.S. Navy's Next Generation Zumwalt-class destroyers. The set was delivered March 9 to Raytheon Corp. [NYSE: RTN], the prime contractor for the Zumwalt program.

The phased array antennas will provide net-enabled operations through high-speed line-of-sight communications and data transported over a common data link (CDL) radio system between the Zumwalt-class ship and various airborne platforms. Unlike traditional antenna dishes, the CDL phased array antenna can be mounted flush to the ship's deck house, providing a low-profile system without sacrificing capability or range. In addition, the antennas are electronically steered with no moving parts, which improves performance and maintainability.

"Delivery of the first pair of production CDL phased array antennas highlights Boeing's abilities in the design, fabrication and testing of these antennas, which provide warfighters with critical line-of-sight technology," said John Lunardi, vice president, Boeing Networks and Communication Systems (NCS).

The CDL phased array antennas drew on technology from the Cooperative Antenna Development Program (CADP), funded by the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office and the Office of Naval Research. Boeing received its first CADP contract in 2002 to develop the antenna technology. Raytheon awarded Boeing a separate CDL phased array antenna development contract in 2005, and the current production contract in 2008. Boeing developed the antenna as a joint effort between NCS, part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, and Boeing Research & Technology, a division of Boeing Engineering, Operations & Technology.