Physically-Small VHF SAR Antenna

The challenge of transferring VHF FOPEN technology to small tactical platforms lies in achieving adequate antenna characteristics within the allowable size, weight, and mechanical constraints. FIRST RF has developed during Phase I a simple, novel approach to meeting the tough performance requirements. The key elements of the FIRST RF innovative design include: innovative broadband beamforming concept to achieve the necessary gain and front to back ratio over the entire bandwidth; incorporation of an efficienct lightweight commercial antenna achieving the bandwidth within a single aperture; an antenna design that is adaptable to a wide range of configurations and installations; and finally a test configuration that enables complete free space calibration of installed antenna performance. During Phase I, FIRST RF validated the design through both electromagnetic modeling and full scale measured patterns on a mock up platform. This design will be the baseline for the development of a flyable prototype in Phase II.