Deployment of hypersonic weapons is one of the primary goals of the Department of Defense (DoD). This desire is driven by advances Russia and China have made with their hypersonic weapon systems. Unlike the nuclear capabilities being pursued by these adversaries, DoD seeks to improve targeting accuracy and real-time communications to ensure successful mission outcomes. Therefore, there is great demand to equip US-based hypersonic platforms, such as the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) platform with robust antenna options that survive and operate in extremely hostile mechanical and thermal environments, enabling advanced, mission-critical functionality. Available space for the integration of antennas on hypersonic vehicles is severely limited due to the extreme heating caused by aerothermal friction and the aft plate of boost-glide vehicles is attractive for the consolidation of various antenna functions. To fully utilize this space, antenna apertures must minimize SWaP and maximize functionality. FIRST RF proposes several potential low-SWaP antenna solutions to enable advanced capabilities on the CPS platform. Specific antenna functions and integration will be worked in concert with the Government. Validation of developed aperture concepts will be prototyped and tested to ensure compatibility with high-speed vehicle environments.
Benefit: Successful integration of the proposed FIRST RF concept allows for improved capability for the CPS and other hypersonic platforms. FIRST RFs multi-function solution provides more useful radiation pattern shapes and multi-band functionality which means fewer antennas are required, reducing total SWaP both inside and outside the vehicle. The proposed solution is adaptable to meet current and future needs of hypersonic platforms and their harsh environments. Additionally, FIRST RFs extensive experience in the design, validation, testing and production of harsh environment antennas will allow this technology to be rapidly and effectively transitioned onto the candidate platform.
Keywords: Multi-Function, Multi-Function, boost-glide, Sensor, conformal, High-temperature, hypersonic, Antenna, muti-band
