Compact, Circularly Polarized High Power Antenna

Directed energy systems such as high power microwave (HPM) weapons convert energy from a power source into radiated electromagnetic energy (short duration pulsed waveforms) to damage, disable, or destroy sensitive enemy control electronics and sensors embedded in equipment and facilities. In such systems, directive gain achieved in the antenna serves to multiply the effective power, increasing range, effectiveness, and precision. Recent work has made continual progress in realizing remarkably compact, GW class HPM sources. However, such systems still rely on very large (up to 10-15 foot diameter), bulky, and heavy (> 150 pound) antennas, severely undercutting their tactical usability and value. In order to realize the tactical promise of compact and mobile, tactical HPM systems, the development of miniaturized, efficient HPM antennas has become an urgent problem for DoD. In contrast to the current bulky antenna systems, we propose a compact, circularly polarized, flat panel form-factor antenna. The proposed antennas provides the unique combination of extremely low volume (expected < 0.4 cubic meters at L band), proven GW-class power handling, and robust mechanical structure well suited to shock and vibration requirements.