EMS Technologies Inc. announced its Defense and Space Systems division won a contract from the U.S. Office of Naval Research to develop an airborne Common Data Link antenna system for communication-on-the-move applications. The duration of the initial phase is 24 months, with the value to EMS estimated at $1.68 million.

The system, including low-noise receive and high-power transmit amplification, will provide multiple independently-steered antenna beams. Mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle, the system will facilitate communications between ship, air and ground terminals. The antenna system will be used as a component of the high-altitude relay and router package, part of the Navy’s Global Information Grid network.