Developing Antenna and RF Systems for Defense

The makeup of military and aerospace systems is constantly changing as the technologies behind the tools used continue to become more sophisticated. Not only is the pace of this change ramping up, the application spaces involved are also growing in complexity and competitive pressures. This puts the onus on developers of military antenna and RF systems to select and integrate the most cost-effective and functional solutions.

The global military RF components market is expected to rise from US$4.8 billion in 2025 to US$7.0 billion by 2033, driven by greater demands for next-generation mil/aero communication, navigation, and electronic-warfare systems. There’s strong pressure to create secure and reliable communication systems, modernize military equipment, and further adopt unmanned systems. Communications currently has the lion’s share of the market, fomented by the expansion of tactical communication networks and software-defined radios.

The importance of antennas and their related RF systems in a military or aerospace platform can’t be understated—they often directly impact mission readiness and chances for success. The various roles they play and the applications they serve must be addressed by optimized solutions that minimize weight and bulk while maximizing precision and performance. Whether the role is electronic warfare, navigation, command and control, or data networking, the antennas and RF systems involved have to be among the best available.

Starting March 17, Microwaves & RF will present a Takeover Week focusing on advanced antenna and RF design targeting defense systems. Check back here for links to the articles and an eBook that will collect together all of the content.