Narrow Band High Power Antennas for Airborne Platforms

For two decades the US AFRL, and predecessors, have vigorously pursued development of High Power Microwave (HPM) generators. Less effort has been expended to develop compatible high power-capable antennas, though the recent DE-ATAC study identifiedantennas as a top priority in HPM DE research. We propose a concentrated study to validate and develop four Voss Scientific HPM antenna concepts for air platforms; two concepts are applicable to fundamental mode rectangular waveguide, and two arecompatible with TM01 mode driven circular waveguide. The concepts for fundamental mode waveguide are: (1) the extremely large-slot, slotted waveguide array antenna, and (2) the split-guide, waveguide antenna. The concepts for circular waveguide are: (3)the Coaxial Beam-Rotating Lens antenna for circular apertures, and (4) the hybrid Vlasov-terminated / large-slot, traveling wave array antenna. In Phase I we will conduct first-order designs and rigorous FDTD simulations of each concept. Also, usingestimated field emission thresholds, surface flashover, and air break downscaling factors, we will estimate the power capacity of each concept to show high power viability. Finally, working with our program partner, Boeing Corporation, we will show thatthe proposed concepts are compatible with specific air platforms. This effort will culminate in the development of high power-capable antenna(s), with an ultimate demonstration of radiated fields from a 1-GW HPM source. In addition, these antennatechnologies, and associated HPM system components, will show feasibility with an air platform. Also, the antenna(s) developed for this effort can be used for HPM effects testing experiments at GW power levels, with polarization diversity.Commercial applications for HPM antennas include their use in space to beam converted solar to RF energy back to earth for commercial power consumption, as part of HPM systems for commercial aircraft self defense, and systems currently being studied tostop vehicles in a non-lethal manner.