Novel Tri-Band Antenna to Enable Enhanced SM-3 Communications (1023-012-007)

SI2 Technologies, Inc., an ARA company (SI2), with a university partner, proposes to provide enhanced SM-3 communications by developing a tri-band (S-, C-, and X-band) antenna system designed to be a ōdrop-inö replacement for an existing single band (S-band) system with no changes to the platform. SI2 will leverage our extensive experience designing and manufacturing low profile, conformal antenna systems along with our deep knowledge of the SM-3 platform gained from prior Missile Defense Agency (MDA) efforts to develop the tri-band antenna system. In Phase I, SI2 will develop a conformal antenna system designed to fit in the existing cavity on SM-3 while providing operation at S-, C-, and X-band. SI2 will select materials and manufacturing processes suitable for the SM-3 environment. We will use high-fidelity electromagnetic modeling tools to simulate and optimize the antenna system and validate our approach via fabrication and test of a hardware demonstrator. SI2 will also model the tri-band antenna integrated in a representative SM-3 platform to demonstrate achievable performance. In Phase II, SI2 anticipates working directly with SM-3 and other BMD primes to develop a Production Representative Article (PRA) and achieve TRL/MRL 6 by manufacturing and testing the PRA in a realistic environment. Approved for Public Release | 24-MDA-11673 (8 Jan 24)