# Multifunction RF Systems for Naval Platforms
## 4 MFRF System Prototype Development Programs
### Amfrc  
#### 4.1.1 Overview  
The AMRFC program was carried out from 1998-2009 by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) under the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research (ONR) [1, 42]. Its goal was to demonstrate for the first time the concept of a MFRF system, with real-time radar, EW, EA and communications functions sharing usage of waveform generators, receivers and a single pair of separated Rx and Tx AESAs. The main contractors involved were Raytheon [43] (Waltham, MA, USA) and Northrop Grumman (Falls Church, VA, USA). Lockheed Martin (Bethesda, MD, USA) was responsible for the Rx array and digital receivers, Raytheon built the real-time signal/data processor, operator display system and the portion of the DWGs that produced the digital waveform samples, and Northrop Grumman provided the Tx array and the DACs for the DWGs.  
After development and integration, the AMRFC testbed was installed on a cliff top at Chesapeake Bay (MD, USA). Throughout 2004, trials were conducted to demonstrate the unique capability of the system to simultaneously maintain radar surveillance of the area, intercept threat emissions using its ES function, jam threat radars with the appropriate EA technique, and establish and maintain SATCOM and terrestrial CDL communication links. Surface vessels provided targets of opportunity for the radar function, while RF simulators located on Tilghman Island in Chesapeake Bay and aboard the NRL P3 test aircraft emulated threat radars and active missile seekers to exercise the ES and EA functions. CDL terminals on the island and aboard the test aircraft supplied the means to establish terrestrial communication links with AMRFC.  
ONR had hoped that the AMRFC technology would be transitioned to the US Navy's new DDG 1000 destroyer that was about to begin development in 2005. However, despite the technical success of the AMRFC program, the overall MFRF system technology was deemed to still be too immature to move directly into an acquisition program. This was reflected in the assessment that the AMRFC testbed was at best at Technology _R_eadiness _L_evel (TRL) 6, whereas TRL 7 is considered to be the minimum level required for a new technology to be considered ready for operational deployment. Another issue was that the US defence funding and acquisition process has traditionally been \"stove-piped\" into separate radar, EW and communications areas, which was not conducive to acquisition of multifunction systems. The only component of the AMRFC program that was immediately adopted for operational use was some of the technology associated with the ES function, which was further refined to TRL 7 as the Multifunction EW (MFEW) Advanced Development Model (ADM). From 2005 to its conclusion in 2009, the AMRFC program carried on with reduced resources, focusing mainly on continued development of enabling technologies in the area of digital arrays and RF components, particularly HPAs.  
The total cost of the AMRFC program was in excess of $200 M USD, including the cost of the MFEW ADM development, and at its peak, involved more than 200 people, including both government personnel and industry contractors.