News: Microelectronics
4 December 2025
Filtronic awarded £1.2m funding to develop 550W Ka-band solid-state power amplifiers
Filtronic plc of Sedgefield and Leeds, UK — which designs and manufactures RF and millimeter-wave (mmWave) transmit & receive components and subsystems for the space, aerospace & defence, and telecoms infrastructure markets — has been awarded £1.2m funding through the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) for a project to develop a high-power 550W Ka-band solid-state power amplifier (SSPA).
Designed to fit seamlessly into existing satellite ground stations, Filtronic’s new SSPA is said to enable an easy, plug-and-play transition from older travelling-wave tube amplifier (TWTA) technology.
This strategic development builds on Filtronic’s SSPA design and targets a critically important frequency band. The Ka band is central to the expansion of non-geostationary constellations, which rely on it for high-capacity, low-latency feeder and user links. Its adoption is also essential for enabling next-generation services, from in-flight connectivity to 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks. As a result, Ka band will underpin many of the high-throughput Satcom services expected to shape the industry over the next decade.
NSIP is a UK government initiative funding innovative space technology projects, and Filtronic’s new high-power amplifier features in the program’s ‘Major Projects’ category, a scheme designed to advance the commercialization of high-impact UK technologies, de-risk investment and speed up the route to market.
“This award reflects the strength of our innovation pipeline and our place in the UK’s space ecosystem. The 550W Ka-band SSPA is a significant step change in solid-state performance, offering leading linear power in a TWTA-compatible form factor,” says CEO Nat Edington. “It will enable operators to transition from travelling-wave tube systems with reduced operating expense and enhanced reliability, helping to support more sustainable and future-ready satellite networks. Built on strategic industry partnerships and a proven record of innovation, our integrated design and manufacturing model delivers scalable, cost-efficient solutions that earned us selection under this leading program,” he adds.
“Filtronic’s project is a great example of the ambition behind the National Space Innovation Programme, turning cutting-edge UK research into commercially viable solutions that strengthen our global competitiveness,” says the UK Space Agency’s investment director Dr Craig Brown. “By advancing high-power solid-state amplifier technology, this project not only supports more resilient satellite networks but also accelerates the UK’s journey towards a sustainable and innovative space economy.”
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