RIDGECREST, Calif. - U.S. Navy avionics researchers needed vector and analog signal generators to upgrade the RF and microwave hardware-in-the-loop test facility at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division-China Lake in Ridgecrest, Calif. They found their solution at Keysight Technologies in Englewood, Colo.
Officials of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division announced a $300,673 sole-source contract to Keysight for three vector signal generators and one analog signal generator to upgrade the hardware-in-the-loop facility at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in Ridgecrest, Calif.
China Lake integrates weapons and avionics onto tactical aircraft that include the F/A-18 jet fighter bomber; AV-8B jump jet; AH-1W and AH-1Z attack helicopters; EP-3E signals intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft; and the F-22 jet fighter. The naval weapons station, located in the Mojave Desert northeast of Los Angeles, is home to interconnecting hardware-in-the-loop virtual test facilities, as well as large outdoor flight test ranges to help develop and test network interoperability among aircraft systems.
The electronic combat range (ECR) at China Lake is the Navy's primary open-air range for test and evaluation of airborne electronic warfare (EW) systems. The ECR provides engineering support, developmental and operational test and evaluation, analysis, and training resources for users of systems designed to counter or penetrate enemy air defenses. Combat aircraft pilots can train against air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, as well as complete an air-to-ground strike mission.
For test and verification purposes, Navy officials are adding three agile RF sources to the existing scene-generation system at the hardware-in-the-loop facility at China Lake: the three vector signal generators and one high-performance analog signal generator from Keysight.
Signal generators produce repeating or non-repeating analog and digital RF signals to help engineers design, test, troubleshoot, and repair electronic devices. In addition to the signal generators, the hardware-in-the-loop facility has two anechoic chambers and work areas for testing and simulation of how missile seekers and threat targets interact.
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Keysight Technologies online at www.keysight.com.
