TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: DRPM Advanced Amphibious Assault ACAT-1

OBJECTIVE: Coupled with existing and future Ku/Ka band antenna technology, develop a light weight low volume Ku/Ka satellite communications (SATCOM) high data rate on the move (OTM) communications antenna and transceiver capability for the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) and other Department of Defense (DOD) combat ground vehicles as applicable.

DESCRIPTION: The Marine Corps EFV is a 76,000 pound armored and tracked troop and command vehicle designed to operate over harsh terrain, on the seas, and on rivers. It currently hosts a Ultra High Frequency (UHF) SATCOM transceiver and a non-steerable conformal antenna that is capable of on the move data communications at rates of 16 Kilo Bits Per Second (Kbps) and below.

Evolving user requirements necessitate the development of a capability to allow OTM high data rate (64 Kbps and greater) communications. This capability must include operation in a variety of scenarios including high speed water operations (25 knots) in Sea State 3 where significant salt spray and water vapor will be present and land movement at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour (MPH), across rough terrain where extensive and frequent irregular vehicle movement will occur. The proposed solution will be subjected to significant shock and vibration, and extremes of temperature and humidity. The proposed solution must not generate a significant radar cross section, nor can it present a significant physical profile. Due to the limited vehicle volume for installation, the physical footprint of the solution must be minimized to the maximum extent possible. There are no large contiguous open areas available in the current vehicle design to support the installation of a conventional antenna, consequently the implementation must be adaptable to a design that would permit taking advantage of multiple smaller open areas on the topside vehicle layout and use them all simultaneously. This will probably require planar or phased array implementations. The proposed solution will operate in close proximity to Very High Frequency (VHF), High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) transmitters operating at power levels up to 100 watts. The capability should take advantage of current or imminent military or commercial SATCOM capabilities to provide a capability that is available world wide (Polar/Antarctic regions excepted.), which may include the use of Low Earth Orbiting or Geosynchronous Satellites.

PHASE I: The contractor will utilize existing vehicle drawings and link budget analysis to determine an antenna configuration and associated RF system that can support the necessary data rates, provide coverage across all azimuths of the vehicle (minimal to no blocked zones) and still fit within existing open areas. Using this information he will then design a family of solution sets that individually optimize against each of the following parameters: Cost, throughput, Radar Cross Section, and Physical Size/Weight. He will also provide a recommended best fit solution that trades off against each of the parameter areas to provide a best value solution.

PHASE II: The contractor will built one or more prototype systems for concept development, proof of viability and field testing aboard the EFV.

PHASE III: The contractor will build one or more complete units under contract to the EFV Prime Contractor suitable for operational testing and deployment.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: A low profile, OTM capability that utilizes military and commercial SATCOM services would find widespread interest among all Federal, Military, and commercial organizations that need to pass and process large amounts of data while stationary and on the move.

REFERENCES:
1. EFV Capabilities Production Document (CPD) draft
2. DRPM AAA Website: WWW.EFV.USMC.MIL
3. EFV C Variant Topside Antenna location drawing

KEYWORDS: OTM, Amphibious, Communications, SATCOM

TPOC: Craig Harvey
Phone: (703)492-3327
Fax: (703)492-5330
Email: [email protected]
2nd TPOC: Harry Oldland
Phone: (703)492-3315
Fax: (703)492-5172
Email: [email protected]

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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