ITT Exelis has received a contract from Raytheon to supply anti-jam GPS antennas to the KC-46 refueling tanker program. Work on this contract will be performed in Bohemia, N.Y.

The rugged N79 Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna, or CRPA, prevents deliberate jamming and unintentional interference of timing signals when integrated with anti-jam GPS systems including the Raytheon Navshield and Advanced Digital Antenna Production systems. The antenna keeps an aircraft’s GPS system connected in the presence of multiple threats.

“For the U.S. Air Force to perform its Global Power and Global Reach missions, a reliable air-to-air refueling capability is required,” said Paul Eyring, Senior Director of Programs for Antennas, Sensors and Microelectronics, Exelis.
“The Exelis CRPA helps mitigate signals that interfere with aircraft systems and thus helps the KC-46 perform its fuel delivery mission, keeping aircraft airborne,” he added.

Exelis has delivered hundreds of anti-jam GPS antennas to U.S. and allied militaries for use on fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, ships and unmanned platforms.

The Boeing KC-46 is a military aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. In February 2011, the tanker was selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace older KC-135 Stratotankers.