Special Temporary Authority application - Applicant Name
Name of Applicant:
Fourth Front Aviation, Inc
Special Temporary Authority application - Best Contact
First Name:
Alex
Last Name:
Kroll
Phone Number:
661-429-0458
Title:
Test Manager
Special Temporary Authority application - Certification
Applicant certification
Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.
Date:
2026-09-06 00:00:00.0
Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):
Alex Kroll
Title of Applicant (if any):
Manager, Test Programs
Special Temporary Authority application - Explanation
Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
Fourth Front Aviation seeks Special Temporary Authority (STA) to conduct limited-duration flight testing of an airborne X-band radar seeker operating between 9.25 GHz and 9.9 GHz. The proposed testing is necessary to characterize and evaluate the radars performance against representative maritime targets in an operationally relevant environment in support of a defense-related research and development effort. The radar seeker, which operates using a linear frequency modulated (LFM) waveform and has a maximum transmitter power of 396 watts and maximum effective radiated power of approximately 2,500 watts, has previously undergone testing by the original equipment manufacturer against airborne targets. However, its performance, detection characteristics, target discrimination capability, and overall utility against maritime targets have not been characterized. The proposed testing is therefore required to collect empirical performance data in a maritime environment, including the effects of sea clutter, surface reflections, target aspect, altitude, range, and other operational variables that cannot be adequately replicated through laboratory testing or prior airborne-target evaluations. For the proposed test program, the radar seeker will be integrated into the nose of an experimental aircraft and operated during controlled flights at low altitude over open ocean areas. The test profile is intended to provide representative geometries and environmental conditions for evaluating the radar against maritime targets while minimizing potential exposure to populated areas and terrestrial receivers. An STA is necessary because the radar seeker is not currently authorized as an FCC-approved device for the proposed airborne experimental application, and the specific maritime-target test configuration and operational use case have not previously been characterized or authorized. The requested authority is limited to the duration and geographic area necessary to safely conduct the experimental test program and collect the technical data required to determine the systems suitability for its intended defense-related application. The proposed operations are temporary, experimental, and limited in scope. Fourth Front Aviation will coordinate and conduct all testing in accordance with applicable FCC requirements and any conditions associated with the STA in order to minimize the potential for harmful interference to authorized spectrum users, including the FAA and military, as applicable
Special Temporary Authority application - Information
Class of Station:
MO
Nature of Service:
Experimental
Special Temporary Authority application - Manufacturer
Equipment 1 Experimental
No
Equipment 1 Manufacturer
TSC
Equipment 1 Model Number
Aquila
Equipment 1 No. Of Units
1
Special Temporary Authority application - Purpose of Operation
Please explain the purpose of operation:
The purpose of the proposed operation is to conduct experimental airborne testing of an X-band radar seeker to evaluate its ability to detect, track, and characterize maritime surface targets. The radar will be integrated into the nose of an experimental aircraft and operated during controlled low-altitude flight over open ocean to collect performance data under representative maritime operating conditions. Testing will evaluate radar performance as a function of target range, aspect, altitude, sea state, and other environmental factors, with particular emphasis on detection and tracking performance in the presence of sea-surface clutter and reflections. The resulting data will be used to assess the suitability and potential utility of the radar seeker for a defense-related maritime surveillance and targeting application. The operation is strictly experimental and developmental in nature. Transmissions will be conducted only during authorized test flights within the designated test area and for the duration necessary to complete the test objectives.
Special Temporary Authority application - Requested Period of Operation