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Northrop Grumman completes radiated testing of downlink phased array on AEHF engineering model:

Eric Enosara, an I&T engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Technology (NGST), checks for radiated emissions during initial "power on" of the downlink phased array antenna for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency engineering model. Behind the rather simple looking box (known as a hat coupler and used only for testing) is a highly complex antenna (illustrated in the diagram below). Both the downlink and uplink phased array antennas are discriminating technologies for Northrop Grumman as they’ll deliver secure, unprecedented communication on demand to warfighters when they need it, where they need it. By completing "end-to-end" radiated testing via both the uplink and downlink phased arrays, NGST engineers have demonstrated that several key payload interfaces work together seamlessly. This recent test is one of several significant EM payload milestones for AEHF. The Flight One payload is on schedule to complete the initial phase of payload/space vehicle mechanical integration by the end of May 2005. Shortly after this phase is completed, NGST engineers and technicians will begin payload unit integration and test, preparing Flight One for delivery to prime contractor Lockheed Martin in April 2007.