Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Antennas

The problem outlined in the description section of the SBIR A00-136, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle {UAV} Antennas, points out the necessity of detecting signals for Signal Intelligence and Communications while conforming to available space and weight capacityof the UAV. The requirement applies to both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, each with its own aerodynamic limitations to carry appropriate sensor systems. Suggestions are presented for interchangeable (easy-on easy-off) B kit antennas which cover alimited band of frequencies and which may be installed for a particular intelligence gathering mission or several UAVs may be launched with each one configured to cover a different frequency band.Typically, antenna solutions for aircraft are designed as anafterthought after the airframe has been completed. While this approach will always impact the performance of larger aircraft to some extent, in the case of smaller airframe UAV's, the addition of discrete