ARA Exhibits at AFCEA North Carolina Innovation Summit, Including Live Demonstration of New AESA Terminal 

Antenna Research Associates (“ARA”), a leading provider of advanced antenna and RF systems for defense and industrial applications, exhibited and led demonstrations at AFCEA’s North Carolina Innovation Summit (previously called TechNet) in Fayetteville, North Carolina on February 17th-19th. With its emphasis on innovation, partnership, and rapid execution, the show provided a strong stage for ARA to demonstrate its leadership. 

ARA exhibited a range of advanced systems underscoring its commitment to solving modern challenges with next-generation technology. On display were ARA’s new KU & KA Manpack AESAs, developed in collaboration with France-based Greenerwave, and the PRS-11 GBS Manpack Terminal, a government program of record terminal transforming the way warfighters access critical communications in the field. Also featured were ARA’s 2577MLW Lightweight MUOS Antenna, 380LV Flat Panel MUOS Antenna, Software Defined Antenna and Dismounted Antenna Solutions. 

Members of Greenerwave joined ARA at the booth to highlight the new KU & KA Manpack AESAs, the result of a years-long collaboration. Originally developed for commercial applications and ruggedized for military use, these lightweight terminals can be operated on radio batteries for hours, enhancing mobility and endurance in the field.

ARA was the demonstration sponsor of the show and conducted live outdoor demonstrations. The KU Manpack AESA was connected to the FLEX network, the KA AESA tracked beacons on commercial satellite constellations, and the PRS-11 tracked and peaked on the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) Global Broadcast Service (GBS) Mil constellation. These demonstrations allowed military leaders to observe their operational capabilities and performance firsthand.

“This week we were able to show how ARA brings ideas to life and innovates on them to solve real problems faced by those in the field,” says Todd Brown, Director of Strategic Product & Programs Development at ARA. “This show isn’t just about displaying interesting products. It’s about rethinking what’s possible and where the defense industry can go, and ARA is helping to shape that future.”

About the Products

• KU & KA Manpack AESA: While typical AESAs are vehicle mounted and require several hundred watts of power, these lightweight, low power terminals can be operated on radio batteries for hours. - https://ara-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ARA-MPKU-9.12-8.5x11-GWlogo.pdf 
• Software Defined Antennas: These antennas operate independently from their radios and ensure consistent communication by monitoring the RF environment and shifting the radio net frequency to open areas as necessary through an independent control channel.
• PRS-11 GBS Manpack Terminal: The smallest backpackable Global Broadcast System terminal of record for the DOD, this system is ultra-lightweight and portable, bringing command center information to combat teams or individual warfighters where they need it most. New upgrades will allow simultaneous processing of multiple security classification levels. https://ara-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AN-PRS-11-8.5x11-2.13.2026.pdf 
• Dismounted Antenna Solutions: These products include low profile and dummy antennas as well as drone-mounted systems that enable military vehicles and warfighters to maintain low visibility.
• 2577MLW Lightweight MUOS Antenna: This foldable, highly durable antenna can be mounted on a tripod and is ideal for tactical and field applications.
• 380LV Flat Panel MUOS Antenna: Compact and reliable, this MUOS antenna outperforms competitors by over 25% and greatly reduces visual footprint by lowering antenna height to mere inches. https://ara-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ARA-380LV-V-8.5x11-7.17.25.pdf 

About Antenna Research Associates

ARA is a C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs advanced antenna technologies and subsystems that keep joint forces secure, superior and safe. ARA delivers a wide range of products and subsystems for both military and civilian applications that combine innovative discoveries from companies it has acquired, including SI2 Technologies and AQYR, whose technologies complement and enhance ARA’s trusted systems. ARA’s capabilities span electronic warfare, military communications, radar, and satellite systems. For more than 60 years, ARA has provided the military with unparalleled information, improved situational awareness, immediate threat detection, and precision targeting.

From ideation to installation, ARA supplies unique antenna systems in both high and low volumes to meet customer needs and ensure mission success. Its U.S. locations include fully staffed outdoor antenna test ranges, engineering teams, on-site manufacturing, and machine shops.

About OceanSound Partners

OceanSound Partners is a New York-based private equity firm that pursues control investments in technology and technology-enabled services companies serving government, critical infrastructure, and highly regulated enterprise end-markets. OceanSound employs a partnership approach, working closely with founders, entrepreneurs, and executives of middle market businesses to drive transformational growth.