Universal Flight Test Receiver and Decoder (FTRD) for a Universal Flight Termination System (FTS)(9623)

Q-DOT proposes to develop a low-cost, Universal Flight Test Receiver and Decoder (FTRD). The FTRD will support both four-tone and extended 20-tone RCC 319-99 requirements, plus additional range-specific requirements. To the extent that it is currentlydefined by the RCC Range Safety Group's Task RS-38, the FTRD will also have the flexibility to support the Enhanced Flight Termination System (EFTS). It will be easy to install and interface to a wide range of munitions. High performance will be attainedat low cost by realizing most of the FTRD as a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) in SiGe BiCMOS technology. Development cost will be minimized by working with Q-DOT's commercialization partner, The Raymond Engineering Operation of KamanAerospace Corporation (Kaman). Kaman is currently developing a Flight Termination Safe and Arm (FTSA) for Joint Advanced Missile Instrumentation FTS. Together, the programmable FTRD and the FTSA form the core of a single-unit FTS.In Phase I, the FTRD was conceptually designed to accommodate a broad range of munitions and range-specific requirements. The RFIC will be designed and fabricated in Phase II. Kaman has committed to fund a concurrent Phase III effort to integrate theRFIC with other components to produce a fully functional, prototype FTRD, an important step toward subsequent certification and production .