Lightweight, High-Bandwidth Conformal Antenna System for Ballistic Helmets (1000-065)

SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes to design a high-efficiency, conformal antenna system for integration with ballistic helmets and soldier tactical radios. The proposed system will afford reliable communications capability to the individual soldier without significant weight addition or changes to the helmet’s visual profile. Previous antenna approaches poorly insulated soldiers from emitted radiation (resulting in a loss of omnidirectionality due to screening by the soldier’s body), employed connectors that were unsuitable for the battlefield environment (i.e., were fragile or reduced soldier mobility), and exhibited insufficient bandwidth. SI2’s helmet antenna design will minimize soldier exposure to RF radiation while maximizing the soldier’s communications flexibility and access to multiple data streams. State-of-the-art connector technologies will render the antenna system battlefield-ready and soldier-friendly. Several means of integrating the antenna system with the helmet will be explored as part of a trade study in Phase I. SI2’s conformal antenna manufacturing capabilities will be demonstrated at the conclusion of Phase I, with further development of the antenna system design and manufacturing approaches to be undertaken in Phase II.