Design and Manufacture of a Conformal, Low RCS, X-Band SATCOM Antenna System (1000-052)

SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes to develop a conformal low radar-cross-section (RCS) X-Band SATCOM antenna system that will enable high speed satellite communications between tactical aircraft, such as the F/A-18E/F, and new satellite systems such as XTAR. SI2’s innovative antenna is conformal, exhibits low RCS and still overcomes the difficulties posed by the operating environment. In addition, SI2’s proposed array is easily integrated with the existing structure of the platform, eliminating the need for costly structural requalification. The Phase I effort demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed concept through extensive design, modeling, and simulation. On the proposed Phase II effort, SI2 will manufacture a conformal, low RCS, X-Band SATCOM demonstrator array capable of beamsteering. The proposed array will be integrated with a dorsal panel of the F/A-18E/F and measured for performance.