A Solid Dielectric Lens Impulse Radiating Antenna for Missile Defense

The detection of reentry vehicles with missile seekers is a particularly challenging problem due to the high speed of incoming targets and the clutter they normally emit to confuse enemy radar. Advanced missile seekers using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radar haveshown much promise for distinguishing targets from clutter, but it is necessary to launch the radar transmitter within a 155 mm shell, which allows little room for an antenna. A need exists for an antenna that can radiate as broad a bandwidth as possiblewith maximum gain and at maximum voltage, from the front end of a 155 mm shell. The antenna must also absorb the high forces associated with the launch. To address this problem, we propose the Solid Dielectric Lens Impulse Radiating Antenna (IRA). Suchdevices have already been demonstrated at low-voltage versions that are somewhat larger than those required here. We propose refining the existing antenna to make it more suitable for this application. The refinements will include strengthening the designfor mechanical shock and high voltages, and making it small enough to fit within a 155 mm shell. During Phase I we will design, build, and test a scale model of a Solid Dielectric Lens IRA. This research will lead to a new design for a Solid DielectricLens Impulse Radiating Antenna. Such a device will be a critical component in an Ultra-Wideband radar in the front end of a reentry vehicle seeker. A prototype design will be built and tested during Phase I.