SAN DIEGO - Two research companies are helping the U.S. Navy develop cryogenic super-cooled superconducting RF and microwave technologies for future tactical signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems.
Officials of the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center Pacific in San Diego announced contracts to Out of the Fog Research LLC in Mountain View, Calif., and Hypres Inc. in Elmsford, N.Y., for the Emerging Cryogenic devices, Electronics, and Systems program.
Cryogenics refers to electronics that are super-cooled with liquid helium. Superconducting RF and microwave technologies require this kind of electronics thermal management. Superconducting electronics offer zero electrical resistance and can operate at dangerously high temperatures because of their efficient conduction. Superconducting systems are particularly useful for SIGINT, electronic warfare (EW), and advanced radar systems.
Experts from the two companies will concentrate on cryogenic RF systems, and advanced cryogenic core digital and quantum memory technologies that use superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) technology, tactical signals intelligence systems, and other military platforms.
Contracts to the two companies are for three years, with two one-year options that could bring the contract durations to five years each.
Out of the Fog won a $53.4 million Emerging Cryogenic devices, Electronics, and Systems contract that with options could reach as much as $91.4 million. Hypres won a $40.4 million contract that with options could reach as much as $67.7 million.
During the course of the program, Out of the Fog and Hypres will compete for task orders. The companies will do the work in San Diego, Mountain View, Calif., and Elmsford, N.Y., and should be finished by July 2019. Option periods could extend the contract through July 2021.
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Out of the Fog Research online at www.outofthefogresearch.com, Hypres at www.hypres.com, or SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific at www.public.navy.mil/spawar/Pacific.
