Innovative Wideband Antenna Technology for Ultimate Consolidated Submarine Mast

In the long-term, the Navy is moving toward a multifunction submarine mast (or family of masts) supporting communications, electronic warfare (EW), and radar functions in a common aperture to alleviate, as much as possible, the clutter of masts (see Inset Pictures) on a typical submarine sail. In order to accomplish this objective, innovative wideband antenna technologies are required as the key step in developing a multifunction submarine mast. For this Phase I program, Spectra Research and its team members will leverage its recent accomplishments in advanced antenna designs (and those of its research partner) to investigate the application of fragmented aperture technologies, possibly in concert with non-resonant based meta-material substrates, to develop a broadband antenna specifically in the topology required for mounting on a submarine mast. The technical objectives of the program are to demonstrate that fragmented aperture or fragmented volume antenna designs can be utilized to great advantage in meeting the requirements of the solicitation. Specifically, the research team will utilize our advanced antenna technologies to produce a broadband antenna (bandwidth of 10:1 or greater) that demonstrates superior performance over a selected frequency range with a predetermined polarization capability over a full 360 degree azimuthal field.