[Satellite Today 01-15-09] L-3 Electron Technologies received combined orders totaling nearly $1 million for the development of a high-efficiency 600-watt Ka-band communications    helix traveling wave tube (TWT), L-3 announced Jan. 14.
    The airborne platform communications technology orders were placed by two U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory contractors.
    “Achieving 600 watts at 30 gigahertz with a high reliability helix TWT will enable platforms that have a high data rate requirement to close their Wideband Global Satcom communications links with margin and avoid the downside impact of combining multiple lower power amplifiers,” Alan Piring, L-3’s vice president of military and telecom TWT products, said in a statement.