Load Bearing Antenna Structure for Small Unmanned Air Vehicles (SUAV’s)

FIRST RF is proposing a two pronged approach of both smaller and small sized SUAVs. For the “smaller” SUAV FIRST RF is teaming up with the Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles (RECUV), at the University of Colorado, Boulder. During Phase I FIRST RF will be funding RECUV using IR&D funds for assistance in integrating a Conformal Miniturized Broadband (CoMB) antenna into their SUAV, the ARES II. RECUV has a composites layup facility, and the appropriate machining capabilities necessary to design and integrate CoMB antennas into the wing of a SUAV. As a larger “small” platform, FIRST RF will work with General Atomics using their Predator UAV. The Predator will allow for larger payloads to be carried as well as longer flight times. Our relationship with GA gives us the opportunity to collaborate with an advanced UAV house and extend the CoMB antenna concept into larger and more capable SUAVs. FIRST RF is proposing evaluation of three types of antennas. All three antennas make use of advanced antenna technology developed by FIRST RF. The proposed CoMB antennas are practical and can be easily integrated into the wing of a UAV or SUAV.