Software Defined Antenna for Interceptor-to-Interceptor Communications

Objective: Develop low-cost software defined circular-band (ring shape) antenna for near-omnidirectional missile to missile communication in high-speed endo-atmospheric and exo-atmospheric environments. Description: This topic seeks development of a flight antenna capable of multiple node, simultaneous, high-speed, secure communication in meshed High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptors (HAIPE) "Zero Trust" platforms and networks. System shall provide wideband, omnidirectional-like (quasi-isotropic) coverage with beam steering and shaping flexibility with multiple beam transmit and receive capability. Antenna shall address frequency hopping, band switching, and modulation manipulation capabilities. Antenna shall have the capabilities of multiple antenna reception and transmission polarization associated with flight. Antenna shall have the ability to maintain secure communication while in contested spectrums. Antenna shall be able to operate in S+ to Ka frequency bands, and transmit 250 km in exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric hypersonic environments. For purposes of this topic, assume missile diameter of 10”. Solutions shall minimize the size, weight, power, and cost. Keywords: loop antenna; software defined; interceptor communications; missile communications; quasi-isotropic; HAIPE; flight antenna; beam steering; hypersonic; secure communications; frequency hopping; band switching; modulation manipulation CMMC Level: Level 1