TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Battlespace

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS 408 Counter Radio Frequency IED Electronic Warfare (CREW)

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: Develop ultra-wideband (multi-gigahertz) conformal antenna.

DESCRIPTION: Counter Radio Frequency IED Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems are being developed to address fixed site, mounted mobile (vehicle/boat), and man portable situations. Many military vehicles and dismounted patrols will utilize Joint Counter Radio Frequency IED Electronic Warfare (JCREW) hardware in the future. Antenna placement and platform interface can cause a multitude of significant unintended problems. Issues include antenna pattern blockage, co site interference, incompatibility with other platform mounted systems, breakage, non standard interface, visual signature, etc. Conformal antennas that can be seamlessly integrated to the host platform may significantly reduce the visual signature, system integration problems, and performance challenges associated with platform interface.

PHASE I: Develop a conceptual design for a wideband conformal antenna or antenna array that can be utilized primarily for vehicular based applications. Mine Resistent Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle may be used as the primary objective vehicle platform.

PHASE II: Fabricate a prototype wideband conformal antenna for testing on CREW equipped vehicles.

PHASE III: Fabricate a pre-production conformal antenna for integration into next generation CREW hardware.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology may be applicable to commercial applications involving RF communications. Conformal antennas will have other applications other than vehicular based.

REFERENCES:
1. MIL-STD-461E Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment.

2. DODI 6055.11 protection of DoD Personnel from Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation and Military Exempt lasers.

3. IEEE C95.1-91 Safety Levels with respect to Human Exposure to radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 300 kHz to 100 GHz.

4. JCREW S&T Program Category A02 Antenna vehicle applications, A03 Antennas dismounted applications.

KEYWORDS: Conformal antenna; RF communications; wideband operation; low profile; lightweight; antenna array.

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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