[SatNews] Small, lightweight JIB antennas from Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Astro Aerospace business unit will help provide a new maritime identification capability for Canada's three RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) Earth observation satellites planned for launch in 2018.

Astro Aerospace will provide 13 self-deploying, monopole JIB antennas as part of an Automated Identification System (AIS) being added to the identical radar-imaging satellites under a contract from RCM prime contractor MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. The RCM satellites will provide C-band radar data to RADARSAT-2 users and add new applications made possible through the three-satellite constellation. Improvements include faster recurring area coverage of Canada and reduced risk of a service interruption.

With an adaptable design configuration, JIB antennas can be tailored to specific applications. They are available in monopole diameters from one-half inch to 1 3/8 inches and any length up to 25 feet. The RCM AIS antennas stow in a low mass and compact 4-inch by 4-inch by 2.5-inch canister.