Enabling Lightweight, Flexible and Reusable Peel-and-Stick Conformal Antennas for SUAS (1000-488)

SI2 Technologies, Inc. (SI2) proposes to utilize our demonstrated expertise in airborne low-profile, conformal antenna development coupled with in-house materials and flexible / additive manufacturing expertise to develop a family of ultra-lightweight, flexible “peel-and-stick� antenna systems suitable for wideband operation from 100 MHz – 3 GHz, as well as narrowband designs for communications and other applications on Group 1 and Group 2 SUAS platforms. SI2’s antenna design capabilities, manufacturing and anechoic chamber testing all under one roof minimizes cost and maximizes throughput of prototype demonstrators. SI2’s expertise on airborne antenna applications for lightweight UAS, electrically small antenna platforms such as missiles and munitions, and conformal antenna design enables SI2 to provide a low-cost suite of flexible antenna solutions for increased RF functionality on SUAS platforms. During Phase I, SI2 proposes to investigate low-profile, lightweight and flexible antenna designs ranging from wideband apertures to narrowband antennas. Trade studies will be performed for optimal placement on Group 1 and 2 SUAS platforms, effects of integration with platform bodies, and methods to integrate pressure sensitive adhesives for “peel-and-stick� placement and removal. SI2 will also develop robust methods for connecting antennas to existing coaxial RF connectors available on current SUAS platforms