BANC3 has secured a US defense contract to develop a wideband, non-blocking radio frequency (RF) switch matrix designed to strengthen the Department of Defense’s electronic warfare and signals intelligence capabilities.
The project centers on a 16×12 RF switch matrix able to route 16 inputs to 12 outputs simultaneously without interference, a configuration known as non-blocking.
It will cover frequencies from 6 gigahertz (GHz) to 18 GHz, with scalability up to 40 GHz, and will be implemented in a 6U VPX form factor — a rugged, standardized architecture for military and aerospace electronics where space, weight, and power efficiency are critical.
“This award highlights BANC3’s leadership in spectrum surveillance and spectrum dominance technologies,” said Babu Cherukuri, CEO of BANC3.
“By delivering a wideband, non-blocking RF switch with unmatched scalability, we are equipping US forces with the agility and survivability required to counter near-peer threats,” he said.
The solution also supports the Pentagon’s growing focus on missile defense and space-based spectrum monitoring, Cherukuri added.
Technology and Applications
Non-blocking RF switch matrices are essential for spectrum surveillance and electronic warfare, enabling multiple antennas to connect to multiple receivers without conflicts.
This flexibility is increasingly important as adversaries field frequency-agile systems across the X-band (8–12 GHz) and Ku-band (12–18 GHz).
BANC3’s system is being designed with growth in mind.
“Our engineering team is building scalable solutions that provide the wide RF bandwidth needed for today’s electronic warfare missions,” said Fred Ilsemann, BANC3’s vice president of research and development.
“This new RF front-end technology lays the foundation for integration with future intelligence and surveillance platforms across multiple domains.”
Operational Relevance
The technology could support upgrades to platforms such as the US Navy’s P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial system, and Tactical Air Control Party missions within Air Force Special Warfare units.
It also aligns with the Pentagon’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiative, which seeks to link data and communications across all services.
While BANC3 did not disclose the contract’s value or development timeline, the effort reflects ongoing Department of Defense investment in spectrum-dominance technologies, part of a broader push to preserve information superiority in contested electromagnetic environments.
Beyond defense, wideband RF switches of this type could eventually find use in regulatory spectrum monitoring and commercial RF testing.
