TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-234, Next Generation Jammer; Joint Strike Fighter Program

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the feasibility of using non-planar arrays for wide-band, high-power jamming transmitters.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, phased-array transmitters for jamming are generally planar. For high-power airborne use, these planar arrays typically require an aerodynamic radome. The radome design can be complex, requiring aerodynamic consideration as well as the ability to pass wideband high-power jamming signals without depolarizing or distorting the beam as it is steered in angle. The advance of modern digital processing and signal processing may now allow the development of non-planar (i.e., cylindrical or ogive) arrays, possibly conformal, that would provide the wideband high-power jamming required. Note that the difference between prior conformal array designs and this topic is the requirement for wideband (multiple octave) high-power transmission.

PHASE I: Determine the feasibility of using non-planar arrays for wide-band high-power jamming transmitters from ultrahigh frequencies (UHF) to Ka band. Perform analyses and modeling to predict the performance of such arrays, perform comparative analysis with non-planar arrays, and discuss the beamforming methodology for such arrays. Deliver the analysis tools/files (if an available commercial RF modeling package is used, it need be identified, but not delivered).

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a cylindrical and/or ogive array transmitter in a laboratory. Prepare a test plan, conduct the test in a laboratory, and prepare and deliver a test report.

PHASE III: Develop a fully documented, fully flight qualified array for use on Naval tactical jet aircraft. The target form factor is that of a 480-gallon fuel tank.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The non-planar array technology could be applied to make directional antennas that blend into buildings and the surrounding architecture. Non-planar arrays, particularly ogives, could be used to make aircraft weather radars that blend into the aerostructure instead of dealing with reflections behind a radome. The wideband technology required for jammers can be used to support spread-spectrum commercial systems to avoid interference.

REFERENCES:
1. Dinnichert, M. "Full Polarimetric Pattern Synthesis for an Active Conformal Array." Proceedings of the 2000 IEEE International Conference on Phased Array Systems and Technology, (May 21-25, 2000): 415�419.

2. Hersey. R.K., W.L. Melvin, J.H. McClellan, and E. Culpepper. "Adaptive Conformal Array Radar." Proceedings of the IEEE Radar Conference, (April 26-29, 2004): 568-572.

3. Skolnik, Merrill. Radar Handbook, 2nd Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1990.

KEYWORDS: Non-Planar; Conformal; Transmitter; Jammer; Array; Wide-band

TPOC: (760)939-5642
2nd TPOC: (805)989-3461

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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