Antenna Enhancements for SOF Applications

During Special Reconnaissance (SR) missions, U.S. Special Operating Forces (SOF) require tactical VHF/UHF antennas with physical and electrical characteristics, as well as radiation performance, that significantly exceed those of the antennas currentlyissued with legacy radios. This proposal addresses the design and development of an Enhanced Antenna Suite (EAS) that can be tailored to SOF needs and configured depending on the nature of each mission. The planned EAS will provide enhanced missioneffectiveness through improved LPI/LPD, visual covertness and overall link performance, while being portable, lightweight and easy to use in SR field environments. MegaWave proposes to combine recent experience in design, modeling and fabrication of itspatented low-profile/broadband antennas, with innovative materials and technologies, to develop an EAS that addresses these mission requirements. In Phase I, we will work with the SOCOM COTR to define the performance goals for the EAS to establish arequirements framework for the subsequent efforts, optimize the antenna electrical performance using state of the art computer analysis, develop and identify the materials and processes necessary to implement the antennas, and conduct a