Design and Manufacture of a Conformal, Low RCS, X-Band SATCOM Antenna System (1000-038)

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. The Phase I effort will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept through extensive design, modeling, and simulation. During the Phase I Option, an antenna cell will be fabricated using SI2's state-of-the-art conformal electronics manufacturing techniques. The antenna will be tested to validate the design and demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach. In Phase II, SI2's conformal low RCS X-Band SATCOM array will be manufactured, integrated within a representative structure and measured for performance.