Hybrid antenna for 5G and remote sensing developed by Lockheed Martin
NewsAugust 24, 2021
BETHESDA, Md. Lockheed Martin announced that the company has invented a new type of satellite dish technology with a wide range of use on satellites and ground terminals, including space-based 5G.
According to the company, the Wide Angle ESA Fed Reflector (WAEFR) antenna is a hybrid of a phased array Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) and a parabolic dish, and increases coverage area by 190% compared to traditional phased array antennas at a lower cost.
Officials claim this antenna is part of a larger research and development investment in 5G.MIL technologies that will aim to optimize and securely connect warfighting platforms to enable joint all-domain command and control (JADC2).
WAEFR also features high performance gain of a dish with the beam agility of an ESA; low size, weight, and power common product solution to accommodate orbital altitudes or ground terminal applications, and advances in 3D-printing technology and accelerated parts production.
