CLAS (Conformal Load Bearing Antenna Structures) for SUAVs (Small Unmanned Air Vehicles)

A team led by NextGen Aeronautics Inc. has teamed with Northrop Grumman Space Technology (NGST) to develop a group of CLAS antennas that cover broadband, low-band (30 MHz to 300 MHz) frequencies on a confined structure for military aircraft applications. The planned work builds upon the team’s extensive prior experience in conformal load-bearing antenna structures (CLAS) and antenna design, and DBF technologies. The proposed antenna elements have already been designed and tested in standard VHF-FM and AM, UHF Comm, and L band Comm configurations and can have their frequency bands broadened using the same RF design and antenna design tools already employed. At the end of Phase I, we will fabricate a proof of concept VHF antenna design and in a Phase II program we plan to flight test the structures on a NextGen UAV. Parts of the UAV’s aluminum frame will be replaced with composite pieces that include the antennas and are a structural part of the airframe. This antenna system will provide efficient broadband RF performance that covers the full spectrum of commercial communications systems such as HAM radio, satellite radio, cellar phones, television, AM/FM radio, HDTV, and marine services.