Rifleman Radio Antenna

A Phase II SBIR proposal is presented that describes the development and delivery of a body-worn antenna system to support the single-feed multi-band Rifleman Radio. The antenna system will be integrated into or onto current body armor and will provide nominally omnidirectional coverage for all warfighter positions from standing to prone. Key challenges that will be addressed include: the limited real estate available on the soldier platform to accommodate antennas, the impact of the ballistic armor plates on the antenna performance, and the need for the antenna to function in the presence of the soldier"s fighting load and other load bearing item such as a backpack and Camelback. Careful attention will also be paid to the quick release safety features of current body armor such that the antenna system does not hinder emergency doffing of the vest. Through electromagnetic modeling, antenna simulation and prototyping, antenna candidates will be created. Down selection of the leading design will result in production, test and delivery of engineering development models. Support of government testing of the delivered solution is presented in an option.