The U.S. Department of Defense has tapped BANC3 to develop a wideband, non-blocking RF switch matrix designed to strengthen U.S. forces’ electronic warfare and signals intelligence operations.
At the core of the project is a 16×12 switch configuration that allows 16 input channels to be routed to 12 outputs at once without interference. Covering 6–18 GHz and expandable up to 40 GHz, the system will use a 6U VPX form factor, a compact and rugged standard suited for defense electronics.
These non-blocking switch matrices are critical to spectrum surveillance and EW, ensuring seamless connectivity between multiple antennas and receivers. The need is pressing as rivals increasingly employ frequency-hopping systems in the X- and Ku-bands.
Designed for growth, BANC3’s solution could support future applications across platforms such as the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, MQ-4C Triton UAV, and Air Force Special Warfare operations. Its architecture also complements the Department’s JADC2 initiative, which aims to unify data sharing across all domains of combat.
While financial and scheduling details remain undisclosed, the program reflects the Pentagon’s broader drive to secure information dominance in contested electromagnetic battlespaces. Similar RF switch technologies could eventually transition into civil spectrum monitoring and commercial RF testing markets.
