VHF DF Antennas for SUAS

ABSTRACT: The US Air Force has a continuing need for a VHF-band direction finding system suitable for deployment onboard Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) such as the RQ-7 Shadow. However, traditional direction finding techniques used in this band present a significant challenge for the SUAS class of platforms due to the large antennas required. Over the past six years, QUASAR Federal Systems (QFS) has pioneered a new approach to radio frequency direction finding. We have previously demonstrated compact DF antennas that perform accurate direction finding with a fraction of the size required by traditional antennas. QFS has extensive experience integrating its custom systems into a variety of airborne platforms, including a small UAS. Phase I of this program will consist of evaluating prototype antenna design concepts to demonstrate the feasibility of this technique, while in Phase II a complete prototype system will be built and demonstrated BENEFIT: The proposed system will offer the DoD a UAV-mountable, accurate direction finding antenna systems. Commercial applications exist in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement and First Response, while the general understanding of UAV mounted systems will contribute to technology QFS is developing for the resource exploration industry.