Telemetry Impact Reduction for Target Objects

A primary source of impact to BMDS observables results from the RF signature and IR signature perturbations caused by antennas. To combat this problem, IERUS proposes the development of optimized antenna elements for BMDS telemetry bands whose RF signature has been minimized in the BMDS radar bands (S and X-bands). During Phase 1 of this program, IERUS demonstrated its design process by demonstrating in simulation a prototype GPS antenna with minimized RF signature in the BMDS radar bands (S- and X-bands). The antenna signature was integrated with measured MIT sphere-cone data and shown to have little to no impact on the overall target signature. Leveraging progress from Phase 1, the IERUS antenna design approach will provide a drop-in replacement for current generation RV antenna designs and illustrate a path forward to future builds with minimal aeroshell scarring. The IERUS approach has been selected to provide a cost-competitive solution to antenna design. At the end of this Phase 2 effort, the proposed antenna design will have been fabricated, measured, and tested for confidence using the stringent Lockheed Martin qualification test plan in place for the current generation antenna.