The UK-based developer of flat panel SATCOM antennas, Phasor Systems, has been acquired by South Korean firm Hanwha Systems (HSC).
The intellectual properties, engineering staff and antenna tech are now under the Hanwha Systems umbrella. No financial terms have, as of this writing, been revealed.
Phasor worked on the development of high throughput, modular, digital, phased array antennas, with their ESA (electronically steerable antenna) based on patented innovations in dynamic beam-forming technologies and system architecture. These systems were of particular interest, and targeted toward, aeronautical, defense, land-mobile, and maritime SATCOM markets.
Due to Phasor’s insolvency, due to being unable to raise additional capital for development and operations, mostly blamed on the challenges that are posed by the coronavirus invasion, the firm became a key acquisition for the South Korean-based Hanwha Systems, who have a driving interest in the antenna technology for “space internet” applications. Hanwha Systems currently develops and produces defense products and technologies.
With this procurement, the plan is apparently to use the Phasor tech in the development of LEO satellite antennas for broadband connectivity as well as for use in the company’s quest in using VTOL powered air vehicles designed for passengers. Certainly that plan seems to be coming closer to fruition as, in July of 2019, HSC announced a $25 million equity investment in the U.S.-based K4 Aeronautics that is working on personal air vehicle (PAV) development. HSC also invested in Overair, another US-firm engaged in tilt-rotor aircraft.
Hanwha Corporation manufacturing floor.