BV-RAF-4B16 Smart Material for AESA Radar

<100μs

Switching
Time

Wideband
Frequency Agility

Temperature Stable
Performance

MIL-Spec
Environmental

Technical Overview

BV-RAF-4B16 is a smart material component designed for integration into Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar systems. The material enables rapid beam steering and frequency agility through its sub-100 microsecond switching capability.

The advanced material composition provides consistent performance across wide temperature ranges while meeting stringent military environmental specifications. This enables deployment in demanding aerospace and naval applications where reliability is paramount.

Key Capabilities

Sub-100μs switching time for rapid beam steering
Wideband frequency agility across operational spectrum
Temperature stable performance (-55°C to +125°C)
MIL-spec environmental compliance
ITAR-free UK origin enabling direct export

Key Distinction

BV-RAF-4B16 is an enabling technology component—a smart material that enhances AESA radar performance. It is not a complete radar system but rather a critical material component enabling next-generation radar capabilities. The material integrates with existing AESA architectures to deliver superior beam steering and frequency agility.

Smart Material Technology

Advanced material science enabling next-generation radar capabilities

Rapid Switching

Sub-100 microsecond state transitions enable agile beam steering patterns that outpace conventional phase-shifter technologies, critical for modern threat environments.

Frequency Agility

Wideband operation enables frequency-hopping patterns that enhance electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) capability and reduce vulnerability to jamming.

Environmental Stability

Consistent performance across military environmental extremes (-55°C to +125°C), humidity, vibration, and thermal shock per MIL-STD specifications.

AESA Integration

BV-RAF-4B16 integrates with AESA architectures to enhance radar performance

Component Integration

BV-RAF-4B16 functions as an enabling technology component within the AESA architecture. The smart material is integrated at the antenna element level, providing enhanced beam steering capability without requiring fundamental redesign of existing systems.

Drop-in compatible with existing AESA designs
Scalable from small arrays to large apertures
Retrofit capability for upgrade programmes

Performance Enhancement

Integration of BV-RAF-4B16 delivers measurable improvements in AESA radar performance across key metrics including scan rate, electronic protection, and power efficiency.

Faster scan rates for improved situational awareness
Enhanced ECCM through frequency agility
Reduced power consumption per steering operation

Applications

BV-RAF-4B16 enables enhanced performance across diverse AESA radar platforms

Fighter Aircraft AESA Radar

Integration into airborne fire control radar systems for 5th and 6th generation fighter aircraft, enabling superior air-to-air and air-to-ground modes with enhanced electronic protection.

Naval Multifunction Radar

Surface combatant multifunction radar integration for simultaneous search, track, and engagement modes, enhancing fleet air defence capability.

Ground-Based Air Defence Radar

Integration into ground-based AESA systems for integrated air and missile defence, providing rapid scan rates and enhanced electronic counter-countermeasures.

Satellite Radar Systems

Space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and surveillance applications where temperature stability and radiation tolerance are critical performance requirements.

Programme Integration

BV-RAF-4B16 positioned for integration into next-generation radar programmes

GCAP/Tempest Radar

BV-RAF-4B16 positioned as an enabling technology component for next-generation AESA radar integration in the UK/Italy/Japan 6th generation fighter programme.

6th Generation Programme

Next-Generation Naval Radar

Enabling technology component for advanced naval multifunction AESA systems, supporting enhanced fleet air defence requirements.

Naval Programme Pathway

Market Positioning

75/25 Defence-Commercial revenue split — enabling cognitive radar for next-generation systems

Defence Applications (75%)

Commercial Applications (25%)

Technical Data Sheet

Interested in BV-RAF-4B16?

Contact our technical team to discuss how BV-RAF-4B16 smart material can enhance your AESA radar performance.

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