NuWaves Engineering has received a small business innovation research (SBIR) Phase I contract to develop a Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) simulation and RF injection system for the US Army.
NuWaves has partnered with ViaSat and will leverage the latter's VRG-1000 IFF Environment Generator product to develop a new tool.
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The new tactical aircraft transponder simulation system will enable the injection of up to 1,000 simulated tactical aircraft into a passive Mode 5 receiver, in order to improve the capability of the US Army's Joint Scalable Tactical Emulated Network (JSTEN).
NuWaves Engineering president and CEO Jeff Wells said: "NuWaves looks forward to working with ViaSat to help improve and enhance the US Army's ability to accurately simulate a critical mass of tactical aircraft.
"Our team is poised to deliver a high-performance, high-value IFF simulation and stimulation solution in support of the warfighter."
ViaSat's VRG-1000 has 50 independent IFF interrogator applications and 25 independent transponder platforms, and facilitates high-density signal testing of IFF system.
ViaSat Government Systems Division senior vice-president and general manager Ken Peterman said: "In working with NuWaves, we can further advance the Mark XIIA IFF testing capabilities of the VRG-1000, and provide a dense, realistic IFF environment that will reduce the cost of flight testing."
The Phase I project will run for six months and include research and development activities such as the preliminary design of a new linear RF power amplifier.
Image: NuWaves partners with ViaSat to accurately simulate the RF signal environment. Photo: courtesy of ViaSat.
