Affordable 3D Printed Phased Arrays Navy STTR FY2014.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2014.A Topic No.: N14A-T021 Topic Title: Affordable 3D Printed Phased Arrays Proposal No.: N14A-021-0021 Firm: Sciperio, Inc. 12151 Research Pkwy. Suite 150 Orlando, Florida 32826 Contact: Kenneth Church Phone: (407) 275-4720 Web Site: www.sciperio.com Abstract: 3D printed phased array antennas (PAA) would be more rugged, lighter and take a variety of shapes and including unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) wings. Printing antennas, passives and interconnects has been demonstrated in 3D printing. Using printed electronic approaches for printing Field Effect Transistors (FET) has been demonstrated and including printing switches in the GHz regime. The challenge is to combine these similar but disparate techniques to print active switches in PAAs. This proposed effort will utilize micro-dispensing, also known as direct printing, to print the entire PAA. Demonstrations of a printed FET as well as printing to bare die will be done in Phase I and a path to show the cost savings and the feasibility of printing a full PAA in Phase II. Benefits: The UAV market is growing and the estimated yearly revenue for UAVs is expected to exceed $14B. UAVs have little value without an electronic payload. The payloads are expensive, heavy and power hungry. 3D printing has the potential to drastically change the UAV and most specifically adding electronic function to the wing structure or any shape the UAV may take. This will allow more functions per volume and while reducing the overall weight. The UAVs can fly longer and collect more data. A successful program will also transfer to the printed circuit boards industry for standard products and this industry is $60B annually. This has the opportunity to change electronics and promote the next generation printed circuit structure. Return