X- and Ku-band Ultra-Wideband Antennas

Electronic warfare will be a key component in future conflicts as the modern battlefield is highly reliant on electronics such as complex communications, sensing, and control of drones and autonomous vehicles. High Power Microwave (HPM) weapons provide a long-range, non-lethal method of neutralizing enemy electronic systems that use that common radar and military communication frequencies. These HPM transmitters include an HPM source, pulsed power equipment, and, crucially, an antenna to transfer the energy into a free-space wave and deliver it to the target. DTI proposes to develop two distinct, but synergistic antennas in this effort: one antenna will be a conformal phase array with a gain of 40 dBi, rated at 1 GW, and phase steerable in both azimuth and elevation greater than +20 degrees; a second larger single antenna will be developed and will have a wide bandwidth (8 to 18 GHz) and high gain of 40 dBi installed on a two-axis mount capable of sweeping -15° through 90° elevation and a full 360° in azimuth with appropriate drive motors. Our approach reduces RF power density to below the breakdown strength of ambient air and avoids the losses and dispersion of waveguides operating over multi-octaves. These incorporated features ensure that the antennas will operate at gigawatt power levels without electrical breakdown, and provide the necessary gain over a wide bandwidth to produce a highly focused beam that optimally delivers energy to the target. In Phase I, DTI will develop the designs for a phased array and reflector integrated antenna and fabricate proof of concept prototypes. This will enable a detailed evaluation of the mechanical designs, and basic real-world investigation of the RF performance of the array.