SBIR Phase II - Flightworthy Prototype (FWP) Low Profile Antenna for Multi-Band (Ka SATCOM, X Band option) including Ku band Tactical Common Data Link

Todays helicopter and vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle (VTUAV) warfighters are faced with challenges of interfacing and sharing sensor data, targeting information in radio systems using Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) SATCOM and Line of Sight (LOS) network concentric communication systems. The high bandwidth required for these radio transmissions is typically greater than 10 megabits per second and 14 megabits per second is desired. This is further complicated in a helicopter environment by attempting to transmit information through-the-rotorblades (TTR). Additionally different carrier frequencies (Ka and X Band) from different satellites are sometimes needed based on geographic locations, etc. In a Line of Sight (LOS) mode of operation Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) has been mandated by most of the U.S DoD and its allies as the preferred secure datalink. This technical proposal addresses an affordable, lightweight, low profile antenna system that can accommodate the complicated issues including transmission TTR with BLOS/LOS modes of operation.