TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA 290 Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) ACAT I

OBJECTIVE: Develop a low cost conformal Sattelite Communication (SATCOM) transmit/receive antenna system that can operate at X, Ku and/or Ka band for military patrol aircraft to enable over-the-horizon high speed communications.

DESCRIPTION: Current Navy patrol aircraft such as the P-3 or P-8A Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) do not have wideband over-the-horizon communications capabilities. The military is relying on SATCOM for this capability. SATCOM capabilities currently span from the UHF to the Ka frequency band and are made up of military and commercial systems. The higher frequency band systems provide higher data rates. The technology challenge will be to develop a small, low cost conformal antenna system for military patrol aircraft such as the MMA. Innovative designs based on a sub-array approach that utilizes a fixed number of phase shifters to lower manufacturing costs are desired. In addition the antenna needs to support both transmit and receive as well as both linear (vertical and horizontal) and circular polarization (both right and left circular polarization) with sufficient antenna gain to communicate with military satellites at X, Ku and Ka band. The antenna should also have a low radar cross section.

PHASE I: Develop and demonstrate antenna or sub-array design using either computer modeling and/or a fabrication of a lab model sub-array system with limited measured data.

PHASE II: Develop and fabricate prototype antenna and demonstrate design goals. If lab model was developed during phase I further maturity of design is expected to be demonstrated.

PHASE III: Transition this antenna technology for airborne integration, operation evaluation, and production, on naval aviation platform such as MMA, P-3, or other aircraft programs.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This antenna system would be useful for the commercial aviation community also for use with X, Ka, and Ku-Band SATCOMs.

REFERENCES:
1. Butz, J.; Spinnler, M.; Christ, J.; Mahr, U., "Highly Integrated RF-modules for Ka-Band Multiple-beam Active Phased Array Antennas", Microwave Symposium Digest, 2002 IEEE MTT-S International, Volume 1, 2-7 June 2002 Page(s):61 - 64.

2. Miura, A.; Yamamoto, S.; Obara, N.; Saito, H.; Takahashi, T.; Wakana, H.; Tanaka, M.; "Development of a Ka-band Active Phased Array Antenna for Mobile SATCOM Stations", Vehicular Technology Conference, 1999. VTC 1999 - Fall. IEEE VTS 50th, Volume 2, 19-22 Sept. 1999 Page(s):814 - 818 vol.2

KEYWORDS: Airborne; Over-The-Horizon Communications; Antenna; SATCOM; Conformal; Satellite

TPOC: (301)342-9162
2nd TPOC: (301)342-9094

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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