(U) Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA/AE-1)

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA-2) has been developed for aircraft use where there is a requirement to provide anti-jamming  protection.  This is a multi-element antenna, which when used with the AE-1/AE-1A, has the capability to form nulls in the antenna reception pattern.  This reduces the effectiveness of jamming signals.  

Description: (U)
(U)  Antenna Electronics  (AE)s are used for three basic purposes:  to amplify the incoming GPS signal to support longer cable runs to the GPS receiver;  to convert the incoming GPS signal to the required Intermediate Frequency (IF); and to process adaptively the signal received from a CRPA to reduce the effectiveness of any received jamming signals (AE-1/AE-1A only).  Current models are the AE-1/AE-1A, which operates with the CRPA-2, and the AE-4, which is used with the FRPA-3 and FRPA-GP.  The AE-1A will have the same form-factor and look similar to the AE-1.

(U)  An acquisition is ongoing to provide a modernized version of the AE-1/CRPA-2, entitled the GPS Antenna System-1  (GAS-1).  A future acquisition will procure the AE/CRPA-F.  This antenna system will incorporate state-of-the-art electronics and signal processing techniques to considerably improve the A-J capability of this type of system.

User Impact: (U)
(U) The CRPA/AE is used to receive GPS signals and route them to GPS receivers in airborne applications providing highly accurate, all weather navigation and timing information to the aircraft allowing more precise flight patterns, rendezvous, and weapons delivery.  The CRPA provides the capability to receive the GPS signal in a jamming environment.  

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) Air Force: Funding Source.
		
(U) PE351164F

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) FRPA./AE-4, GAS-1 CRPA/AE, GPS Block IIA, GPS Block IIF, GPS Block IIR

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Antennae

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) NAVIGATION.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
29 June 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)