In modern aerospace and defence operations, reliable Aerospace and Defence Communications are paramount. Whether guiding aircraft in contested skies or coordinating forces on the ground, robust links keep missions on course. Chelton’s 75+ years of engineering expertise in aviation and defence have driven innovation across airborne, avionics and land communication systems. By designing advanced antennas, integrated navigation systems and Military Vehicle Intercom Systems, Chelton equips armed forces with the critical communication tools they need for mission success.
Airborne Antennas and Communication Systems
Chelton is a world leader in aircraft antennas and airborne communication technology. Its portfolio of Airborne Antennas includes everything from tuneable V/UHF blade and conformal antennas to high-frequency (HF) and VHF communication antennas. These antennas provide multi-band coverage for voice and data, supporting long-range HF links, VHF radios, and UHF SATCOM to connect aircraft even in remote regions. This range of antennas ensures pilots and crew stay connected across all flight regimes, from low-speed operations to high-altitude missions. Chelton’s designs include low-drag conformal units for fighters and integrated solutions for helicopters, meeting the stringent size and weight requirements of modern aircraft.
On the navigation side, Chelton’s Navigation Antennas ensure precise positioning and guidance. The company develops GPS L1/L2 antennas, radar altimeter (RADALT) antennas, and combined ILS/VOR/MLS/LOC antenna suites. These deliver accurate altitude and navigation data for flight safety and landing precision. Chelton also produces specialized antennas for Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders, enhancing aircraft survivability in emergencies. By integrating these navigational antennas with communication radios, Chelton enables aircraft to maintain Avionics Navigation Systems that support both guidance and beyond-line-of-sight communication.
Advanced RF components further optimize airborne links. Chelton supplies tuned filters, diplexers, low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), high-power amplifiers (HPAs) and digital antenna control units. These electronics enable communications on the move, keeping signals stable as helicopters and fast jets manoeuvre. The combination of Chelton’s antennas and RF subsystems ensures seamless, secure connectivity for every mission profile, from airborne data relays to precision targeting.
Avionics Navigation and Electronic Warfare Systems
Chelton’s avionics business delivers mission-critical communication and navigation systems for military aircraft. The company has pioneered airborne TETRA/LTE mission networks, top-performing anti-jam GPS systems, electronic warfare (EW) suites, and precision direction-finding gear. These avionics systems ensure aircraft maintain precise guidance and secure data links even under heavy jamming or contested conditions. Chelton’s solutions integrate tightly with onboard antennas and sensors to create resilient airborne networks.
Chelton’s Anti-Jam GPS Systems (Assured PNT) are a standout avionics navigation solution. They combine controlled reception pattern antennas (CRPAs) and dedicated control units to nullify deliberate signal interference. Chelton has fielded CRPA/DACU assemblies (from 4 to 11 channels) on fighter jets, UAVs, helicopters and missiles for decades, protecting GPS navigation from spoofing or jamming. The latest compact DACU4c is a four-channel anti-jam system delivering high-performance protection in a smaller footprint. These systems ensure that even under electronic attack, pilots and unmanned platforms “know their location” and maintain mission-critical timing and positioning.
Chelton also supplies electronic warfare pods and radar warning systems for threat detection. Onboard EW antennas and receivers pick up hostile radar signals, while direction-finding arrays help locate emitters and distress beacons. By combining encrypted communications with anti-jam defences and EW countermeasures, Chelton’s avionics suite shields critical aircraft functions. These avionics systems seamlessly integrate with Chelton’s Aircraft Antennas (i.e. Airborne Antennas), forming a complete defence network. This synergy ensures radar, navigation and communication subsystems work together to protect aircrew and aircraft assets during every mission.
Land Antennas and Vehicle Communication Systems
Chelton’s expertise extends to land-based communication as well. The Land and Vehicle Antennas product range provides high-performance, rugged antennas for ground forces. These land antennas include single-band and multi-band whip, telescopic and broadband designs. They support tactical radios (HF/VHF/UHF), software-defined radios, high-capacity data links and even UHF satellite communications (MUOS) for troops in the field. Chelton’s antennas can be mounted on ground stakes or vehicle masts with ground plane and elevation kits, maximizing coverage and signal range in tactical environments.
Complementing its antennas, Chelton’s Military Vehicle Intercom Systems (VIS) are battle-proven communication hubs inside armoured vehicles. Over 150,000 Chelton VIS units are in service globally, making them the definitive choice for in-vehicle voice and data networks. These systems are built to full military specification – they are shock-resistant, weatherproof, and operate flawlessly even with heavy gear or gloves on. Modern VIS models support both legacy analogue circuits (like AN/VIC-3/VIC-5 interfaces) and IP-based VoIP radios, giving troops a flexible, secure intercom solution. In practice, a tank or command vehicle equipped with Chelton’s VIS and antennas can maintain clear, coordinated communications under combat conditions. Together, Chelton’s land antennas and intercom systems keep soldiers connected across vehicles and command posts, enhancing situational awareness on the battlefield.
Microwave Antennas and Radar Technologies
Chelton also leads in specialized microwave and radar antenna design. The Chelton facility in Newmarket specializes in Microwave Antennas for ground and airborne radar systems. These include high-gain dish and printed array antennas, ultra-wideband directional antennas, multi-octave bicones, and omni-directional arrays. Such antennas serve applications like tropospheric scatter links, electronic support measure (ESM) sensors, missile warning receivers, and test instrumentation. For example, Chelton’s portfolio of Electronic Support Measures (ESM) antennas spans roughly 100 MHz to 18 GHz, covering all bands used by modern threat radar and jamming systems. These designs give forces advanced warning and resilience against radar threats.
By combining advanced materials and precision engineering, Chelton’s microwave antennas deliver high performance without excessive weight or size. Many are optimized for ground deployment (e.g. air traffic control, radar towers) but Chelton also offers airborne-qualified microwave variants for surveillance aircraft and drone radars. Ongoing R&D at Chelton pushes the state of the art in microwave design – from lighter multi-band reflectors to next-generation phased arrays. This focus ensures Chelton stays at the forefront of radar and satellite communication technology, meeting the evolving needs of defence radars and transceivers.
Conclusion
Chelton’s comprehensive communications portfolio – spanning airborne antennas, avionics navigation systems, land antennas, and microwave technologies – exemplifies engineering excellence in aerospace and defence. By naturally incorporating advanced designs like tuneable V/UHF antennas, sophisticated Avionics Navigation Systems, high-gain microwave arrays and Military Vehicle Intercom Systems, Chelton empowers military and aviation clients to maintain seamless connectivity in the toughest environments. With a relentless commitment to innovation and reliability, Chelton delivers solutions that keep forces linked and safe, no matter how complex the mission.
As global defence forces face increasingly challenging communication scenarios, Chelton’s advanced systems are more vital than ever. Drawing on decades of experience and a forward-looking vision, Chelton continues to redefine what’s possible in aerospace and defence communications. Through continuous R&D and a customer-focused approach, Chelton provides next-generation antennas and avionics – keeping teams connected when it matters most.
