Traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers are used to amplify radio signals to high power. They are commonly used by the US military in satellite transponders, radar, and electronic warfare systems.
The US Navy uses the TWT ampliers for electronic countermeasure (ECM) systems on aircraft. One application is to increase the radar reflectivity of a decoy deployed by an aircraft. The enhanced decoy fools an enemy surface-to-air or air-to-air missile into thinking that the decoy is the aircraft.
The Navy recently awarded a $13.2 million contract to small business qualifier dB Control to supply TWT ampliers for aircraft ECM systems…
Based in Fremont, CA, dB Control received a 5-year firm-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (N68936-10-D-0010) to produce up to 300 TWT amplifiers (500 watt and 2 watt) to be integrated into Navy ECM systems.
The TWT amplifiers will be integrated into the entire life cycle of Navy ECM systems, including rack-mount units used in laboratories and loop facilities during product development, airborne pods onboard manned aircraft, ground-based applications, testing and fleet training systems.
In addition to designing and producing the amplifiers at the company’s 40,000 square-foot facility, dB Control will also provide the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, CA, with ongoing engineering, technical and repair support services.