Development of Devices and Subsystems for Application in Future Combat Systems

"This proposal is a program to develop designs and processes for microwave devices for integration into battlefield microsensor systems and their communication link structures. These devices will incorporate novel materials such as high temperaturesuperconductors (HTS), electro-optics and cryo-cooling features. The devices such as high-Q tunable filters will also achieve ultra-high sensitivity in signal interception and processing capabilities. Integrated with other receiver chain components, thesedevices will form the foundation of the microsensor-communication link vital to the successful performance of the Future Combat Systems (FCS). The concept of the FCS is accurate detection of threats and rapid and mobile deployment of forces to counter andneutralize these threats. In the detection phase, microsensors are deployed to uncover hostile combatants with lightweight weapons concealed in defensive and offensive positions within a battlefield range. These distributed microsensors collect seismic,magnetic, radiation, sonic and other outputs from the threats and transmit the information to the communication link for further processing and countermeasures. The sensitivity of these microsensors and quality of the communications channels must beoptimized. This proposal will contribute to this optimization process and therefore improve and enhance the sensing-communicating features of the FCS."