A high power TWT for military satcom

In 1994, a contract was received for the Heavy Terminal, (HT), Program. The award was from the U.S. Army / Harris Corporation to build a 2 1/4 kW X-band helix vacuum electron device (VED), to be used in a military satellite communications terminal. The VED needed to be of an air-cooled variety. The contract was awarded as a result of competing with other suppliers of VEDs and successfully qualifying the unit. A second hurdle was to qualify the VED in the MCL INC. power supply to be sure the VED and the power supply were compatible. The qualifications for the VED came under two headings: 1) electrical tests, and 2) environmental tests. These are discussed. The device lifetime is also discussed.