Bae Systems is developing a new high-power amplifier which will disrupt enemy communications and radar signals while protecting friendly communications.

ROHM and Haas and the University of Colorado will also work on the $8m contract from the US Army.

They will build a 160W solid-state, gallium nitride power amplifier for communications, electronic warfare and radar applications.

The technology will replace older vacuum tubes, known as travelling wave tubes, which are currently used to produce high-power radio frequency signals.

The first prototypes of the amplifiers could be in use by the end of the decade, BAE says.

Reported by staff writer