SOURCE: AFI
In a significant stride towards enhancing naval capabilities, Hyderabad-based Navstar Integrated Systems Pvt. Ltd has announced the successful development of a series of multifunction antenna systems specifically designed for submarines. This innovation aims to consolidate various communication and navigation functions into a single, streamlined system, thereby reducing the complexity and footprint on submarine platforms.
Navstar’s new antenna suite includes:
- GPS/S-Band Antenna: This component is pivotal for precise positioning and navigation, crucial for submarines operating in challenging underwater environments where GPS signals are typically weak.
- UHF SATCOM (Bifilar) Antenna: Designed for satellite communications in the Ultra High Frequency band, this antenna ensures robust communication links with satellites, vital for maintaining contact with command centers during missions.
- V/UHF TACOM/IFF Antenna: This dual-function antenna supports tactical communications (TACOM) and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems. It’s nested inside the UHF SATCOM antenna’s radome, optimizing space and reducing the number of protrusions on the submarine’s hull.
- UHF SATCOM (Quadrafilar) Antenna: An advanced version of the UHF SATCOM antenna, offering enhanced performance and coverage, potentially supporting multiple frequency bands or polarizations for better operational flexibility.
While specific details on deployment or adoption by the Indian Navy are yet to be disclosed, the development of such technology by Navstar could pave the way for India to become less reliant on foreign suppliers for critical submarine components. Furthermore, this could open avenues for export, showcasing Indian innovation in naval technology on a global stage.