Development of Enhanced Conformal Jammer Antenna

Current military vehicles use a monopole or whip antenna to radiate jamming signals to mitigate improvised explosive device (IED) threats. These antennas have a high profile, are easily visible and prone to being damaged or destroyed while on patrol. To overcome these challenges and to enable thinner and less visible conformal antennas, Luna Innovations has been developing specially engineered materials as the antenna substrate. Many antenna applications and designs would benefit from this substrate, but the maximum performance gain for jamming applications will be realized if the material properties are matched to a specific low profile antenna. In the Phase II program, Luna has teamed with a leader in the field of CREW antenna development and conformal antennas, to optimize and integrate the novel materials technology with a specific antenna platform. The Phase II program will focus on refinement of the novel materials, scale-up of the materials production, integration of the substrate with the antenna fabrication and validation of key performance attributes of the antenna system. At the end of the Phase II program, Luna will have produced a materials system that has the electromagnetic and physical performance properties required for low profile CREW antenna applications.