Qorvo delivers wideband SSPAs as reliable TWTA replacement with up to 50 percent smaller system footprint

Qorvo® has introduced four wideband solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs) for radar, SATCOM, electronic warfare (EW) and test applications. Qorvo’s newest SSPAs enable up to 50 percent smaller and one-third lighter system-level solutions compared to legacy traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), supporting mission continuity and long-term reliability in demanding RF environments.

“With these new SSPAs, customers can confidently replace TWTAs while improving system-level performance, reliability and long-term lifecycle value,” said Doug Bostrom, general manager of Qorvo’s Defense and Aerospace business. “These solutions accelerate the industry’s transition to solid-state power with scalable, proven technology.”

As TWTA supply chains contract and program schedules tighten, system designers are increasingly turning to solid-state solutions that boost reliability, shrink size and lower procurement risk. According to Global Growth Insights, 58 percent of SSPA demand now comes from defense and aerospace sectors* where wideband Continuous Wave (CW) performance, reduced footprint and reliability are critical.

These SSPAs operate on standard 18–24 V rails, eliminating the need for bulky, high-voltage power supplies typically required in legacy TWT systems. Designed to simplify design architectures and improve thermal performance, the Spatium® platform has been field-proven in demanding airborne electronic warfare environments, including deployment on a major US defense program.

Qorvo’s Spatium SSPAs deliver higher CW efficiency than traditional wideband planar amplifiers and rival TWTA performance in demanding applications while offering up to 10X longer operational life. Their spatially combined architecture provides graceful degradation, maintaining output in the unlikely event of individual MMIC failure to ensure mission continuity and long-term reliability.

The new SSPAs are available now through Qorvo and authorized distribution partners. To learn more about Qorvo’s trusted RF solutions for defense and aerospace—including Spatium® SSPAs and GaN-based front ends, visit www.qorvo.com/spatiumsspa.