Mission-critical connectivity: Astute Group expands defence antenna capability with custom design and rapid prototyping
Astute Group is strengthening its RF and antenna offering for defence applications, combining franchised high-reliability products with UK-based custom design and manufacturing.
Reliable communications underpin every modern defence platform, from dismounted soldier systems to secure tactical networks and satellite communications. However, engineers are often faced with the challenge of balancing proven off-the-shelf components with the need for application-specific performance, ruggedisation, and integration support.
Astute is addressing this requirement by combining a broad franchised antenna portfolio with agile design and production capability. By combining technical consultation with a broad franchised antenna portfolio, Astute helps engineers assess the most appropriate solution for each project, including alternatives they may not have considered previously. This approach enables faster development cycles while maintaining the performance and environmental resilience required in demanding defence applications.
Through partnerships with established manufacturers including PCTEL, HUBER+SUHNER, 2J Antennas, Adactus AB, and HL Global, Astute supplies a wide range of authorised antenna solutions covering key technologies such as GNSS, LTE, 5G, MIMO, and Satcom. These products support integration across land, maritime, and airborne platforms.
For projects requiring additional optimisation, Astute works closely with Mobile Mark to provide configurable and fully custom antenna solutions manufactured in the UK. Mobile Mark’s standard product range offers a proven starting point, with each antenna able to be tailored to suit specific frequency bands, bandwidth requirements, connector options, cable assemblies, mounting types, and environmental conditions. Where a standard platform is not sufficient, fully bespoke designs can be developed to meet exact electrical and mechanical specifications.
This flexible approach supports a wide range of engineering requirements, including:
- No minimum order quantities, supporting prototype through to production
- Rapid prototyping to accelerate design validation and deployment timelines
- Direct access to RF and mechanical design expertise
- Optimisation for ground plane, enclosure, and installation requirements
Mobile Mark’s antenna portfolio spans 150 MHz to 7.2 GHz and supports applications including 5G/LTE, WiFi, GNSS, RFID, ISM, LoRa, and M2M. Combined with ruggedised construction and proven field performance, these solutions are well suited to demanding defence environments.
“Defence programmes need more than component availability — they need engineering support, supply chain confidence, and solutions that can be adapted to the platform rather than the other way around,” said Damian Semple, Franchise Marketing Manager at Astute Group. “By combining franchised product lines with UK-based custom capability, we help customers reduce risk, shorten development timelines, and meet challenging RF requirements.”
While defence remains a key focus, these capabilities also support aerospace, maritime, industrial IoT, and other applications where reliability and environmental performance are critical.
To learn more about Astute’s antenna solutions, visit the Astute Group website and explore the franchise portfolio.
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