Innovative Antenna Design and Materials for Lightweigting Next Generation Aegis Missiles

The programmatic objective of the program is to demonstrate risk reduction and provide prototype hardware for consideration by the prime contractor for inclusion in the NGAM configuration and Trade Study program. The technical objective will be to demonstrate, through hardware fabrication and test, lightweight antenna substrate with integrated nanomaterial ground plane, antenna footprint design reduction, and lightweight antenna window technologies to reduce mass of the antenna assembly on the Guidance Section of the NGAM. Phase I will be subscale design, fabrication and test and Phase II, if invited, would be full scale design, fabrication, and test. The objectives of this SBIR proposal are designed towards maturing the lightweight antenna assembly technology to TRL 5 (at the end of Phase II) by"integrating the technological components with reasonable realistic supporting elements so that the technology can be tested in a simulated environment".