Broadband, lightweight, low profile passive phased array

FIRST RF proposes a passive array antenna operating from 350 MHz 6000 MHz which provides the Navy a low-risk approach to the next generation airborne SIGINT system. This antenna array provides independent access to 8 beams across the band distributed over a 60 degrees field of view in azimuth and over the elevation field of view of 40 degrees . Our approach is lightweight and does not depend on exotic, unproven, heavy and/or lossy materials. The proposed antenna technology is based on recent breakthroughs here which provide unprecedented performance from a conformal, low-profile aperture. The loading techniques we employ yield an array which nearly attains the theoretical upper bounds to the antenna efficiency. During Phase I, achieving much more than a simple paper feasibility study, FIRST RF modeled, built and tested the array over the full 350 MHz 6000 MHz band of operation. Phase II is focused on small refinements and design for flight. The antenna is currently being designed to fit within the cargo bay of the RC-12; part of the Phase II option will be to accommodate a broader reach of potential Navy SIGINT air platforms.