Low Profile Multiband Airborne Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Antenna

Agile RF Systems LLC has baselined a new breakthrough in phased array technology to support low profile, multiband high gain antenna systems needed for airborne SATCOM terminals. This approach combines the advantages of conventional phased arrays with a revolutionary approach to two-dimensional electronic beamsteering. The beamsteering architecture, proven during the Phase I program, reduces control complexity from MxN to M+N phased array controls. Through this reduction in system complexity the phased array module and implementation costs are dropped to unprecedented levels while providing a practical means to digital beamforming. As UAS platforms get smaller and become more capable, low cost and low profile solutions are even more critical to operate these systems autonomously and beyond line of sight. The Phase II objectives are to complete the design, build and test of transmit and receive phased arrays for X-band and K/Ka-band SATCOM as well as conduct SATCOM demonstrations of the hardware. The final report will document remaining development steps required to deploy future low profile, multiband SATCOM terminals for USAF aircraft