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Filtronic secures its largest single order to date of £47.3m ($62.5m) from SpaceX for next-generation GaN E-band products.
First production units scheduled for FY2027, with revenue contributions expected in FY2027 and FY2028.
New GaN solution delivers over twice the output power of existing GaAs products, enhancing efficiency and thermal performance for satellite and aerospace applications.
Filtronic plc (LSE:FTC), a designer and manufacturer of advanced RF solutions serving the space, aerospace, defence, and telecoms infrastructure markets, has announced that it has secured its largest single order to date, valued at £47.3 million ($62.5 million). The order was placed by SpaceX for Filtronic’s proprietary gallium nitride (GaN) E-band product, marking a significant milestone in the company’s product evolution and commercial pipeline.
Contract Details
The newly secured order represents the first commercial contract for Filtronic’s next-generation GaN-based technology. The initial production units are scheduled for shipment in FY2027, with material revenue contributions expected in FY2027 and FY2028.
As part of the agreement, the warrants under the existing Strategic Partnership arrangement with SpaceX have been extended to include the new E-band GaN product alongside other frequency bands under development. In addition, the vesting criteria have been updated. Under the revised terms, vesting will occur on product delivery rather than order placement, and the required product volume for full vesting has been doubled. These changes are intended to align long-term objectives more closely between the two companies.
Technology Advancements
The GaN E-band product line represents a step forward from Filtronic’s current gallium arsenide (GaAs) product portfolio, with the new solution delivering more than double the output power. GaN technology provides higher power output, improved efficiency, and enhanced thermal performance—critical parameters in satellite communications as well as aerospace and defence applications.
This product is the first in a new family of GaN-based solutions developed by Filtronic. The company highlighted that the solution sets a new performance standard in terms of size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) for high-power millimetre-wave (mmWave) systems.
The development programme required overcoming significant challenges associated with high-power mmWave design and manufacturing, including complex packaging and advanced thermal management techniques. The resulting product demonstrates Filtronic’s capability to deliver innovative RF solutions in demanding application environments.
