Resilient, Multi-functional Electromagnetic Skins and Radomes

This project proposes a conformal, multifunctional electromagnetic (EM) skin designed to enhance signal integrity, counter jamming, and reduce radar cross-section (RCS) for US military platforms. The EM skin features a layered metasurface architecture, integrating versatile 3D coded metasurfaces with supplementary dynamic phase gradient layers as needed. These layers provide adaptive beam steering, polarization control, and robust impedance matching across GPS, 4 GHz communication, and Ku-band frequencies, supporting resilient communication, radar, and sensing capabilities. Structurally robust, patterned, and graded high-permittivity and magneto-dielectric substrates enhance the metasurface layers, enabling wavelength compression for concentrated signal strength and increased anti-jamming effectiveness. The design prioritizes a thin, conformal profile to minimize drag and enable seamless integration onto complex surface geometries. Phase I demonstrated proof-of-concept through simulations, prototype skin fabrication, and unit cell testing; Phase II will scale the design to multi-layered, conformal skin prototypes, evaluate performance over curved surfaces, and optimize for expanded bandwidth and functionality. This solution aims to deliver a versatile, durable EM skin that strengthens US military capabilities in contested environments, ensuring secure, high-fidelity communications and radar stealth across multi-domain operations.