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# 2: Soldier Conformal Antenna
General
Description of Need: Soldiers performing dismounted operations require a light weight, soldier-conformal antenna that allows for voice/data radio transmissions from MBITR, SINCGARS, or similar radios, but has neither the visible signature of current whip antennas nor the risk of snagging on equipment or vegetation. The intended result is an antenna that provides effective communications but is lighter, provides better mobility, and does not identify soldiers carrying radios to the enemy.
Desired Performance Goals: A proof of
concept would be required, on the order of demonstrating what
quantity / quality of undesirable frequencies a piece of demo
material absorbs, both before and after application. A stress test
will need to be designed and performed, simulating a year of field
conditions.
Soldiers have
created their own conformal antennas.
One example is show below – the unit took roughly 8.5 feet of vehicle
antenna cable and stripped the cable down to the internal copper strand
protected by the white plastic sheathe (removing the outer insulation and outer
metallic layer). They re-attached an
antenna connector to one end of the stripped cable, and route the free running
end of the new antenna through the MOLLE straps on the rear of the improved
outer tactical vest (IOTV). Soldiers
using this field expedient report effective range equivalent to the long whip
antenna, without mission-significant impacts on directionality.
Field expedient –
connector end, front of vest
Field Expedient –
rear view showing antenna routed through IOTV
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