Low-Observable Communications Mast for Undersea Platforms (LOCM-UP)
Abstract
This proposal addresses the development and demonstration of an Integrated Composite Mast-Antenna technology. The objective of the t,echnology is to replace multiple legacy radiators and receivers on the submarine communication mast with a minimum number of multi-f,unction broad bandwidth conformal antennas integrated into a composite Radar Absorbing capable Structure (RAS-capable) version of th,e mast. The four key areas addressed are: (a) development and validation of the magnetically permeable composite materials required,to support the desired antenna performance, (b) design and verification of the conformal permeable antennas to cover LOS and SATCOM,functions from HF through UHF with only two antennas, (c) analysis and design of the composite structure of the mast to meet expecte,d mechanical and environmental requirements while allowing integration of the antennas, and (d) design of the composite mast structu,re to demonstrate the capability to perform RAS function while at the same time enhancing its communication functions. The conformal, permeable antenna designs are based on developments in previous ONR funded work that demonstrated that a single permeable antenna,,using the mast itself as the main radiator, can cover LOS vertical polarization communication requirements with a bandwidth in exces,s of 10:1, sufficient to span from HF through UHF. A key feature of that design is the damping of the natural resonant modes of the,mast using high-performance permeable materials from the electromagnetic interference (EMI) suppression industry. Such a material ca,n then be used as an integral component of the RAS function of the mast. This proposal is part of a concerted three-university effor,t (ASU as the lead, Virginia Tech (VT) and University of Delaware (UDel). Combined with support from Navy Warfare Center labs, we wi,ll demonstrate prototype conformal antennas co-optimized with radar absorbing composite structures for the multi-function communicat,ion mast. In Year 1, the permeable composite materials and dielectric structures required for both the antenna and RAS function will, be evaluated by all the universities. ASU and VT will downselect candidate materials form COTS sources and develop baseline antenna, and RAS designs while UDel focuses on developing in-house materials for the manufacturing of the RAS structure. In Year 2, while th,e antenna design is optimized and validated using breadboard antenna platforms (VT and ASU), the first planar demonstrator of the pr,oposed composite RAS stack-up will be manufactured and submitted (by VT and UDel) for NRL arch testing. In Year 3 a cylindrical modu,lar RAS mast demonstrator will be manufactured by UDel using the lesson learned in Years 1 and 2. This demonstrator is slated to be,used by itself for VHF RAS mast communication testing by the Warfare Center labs while ASU and VT finalize the construction and labo,ratory verification of the final breadboard antennas for LOS and SATCOM functions. By the end of Year 3, the ASU/VT breadboard anten,nas will be integrated into the UDel modular RAS mast for full antenna range testing In parallel, a SWaP-C trade-off and design effo,rt will collect all lessons learned in anticipation of implementation of the technology in a future MFM.Approved for Public Release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 10, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142212068
Entities
People
- Mark S. Mirotznik
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Delaware