RCS-Reduction and EMI-Suppression Technology for HPM Antennas

Successful platform-integration of high power microwave (HPM) directed energy weapons (DEW) poses very demanding challenges.  Unwanted radiation (near-field and far-field) and surface currents locally induced around HPM aperture boundaries raise serious risks of suicide (effects upon the host platform) and fratricide (effects upon nearby friendly or non-targeted systems).  These risks must be addressed, and substantially reduced, before such systems can be operated and fielded with confidence.  In addition, the nature of anticipated HPM-based missions is such that avoidance of radar detection (or at least, identification) of the platform is highly desirable. Unfortunately, high-gain HPM antennas can exhibit large radar cross sections (RCS) that enhance both detection and identification.  Established antenna RCS-suppression techniques, which operate primarily as frequency filters (i.e., frequency selective surfaces, or FSS) tend to concentrate electric fields at dense arrays of locations across apertures.  For an HPM-transmitting aperture, this encourages breakdown and severely limits realizable output power per area.  We propose to develop practical, realizable, innovative engineering solutions to both types of problems via a methodical program of analyses, modeling, design, and experimentation that will: (1) extend usable FSS RCS-reduction technology into the HPM-capable domain; and (2) establish novel and effective platform- and HPM-compatible EMI-suppression methods. BENEFIT: HPM-compatible RCS-reduction and EMI-suppression are essential enabling technologies for successful military applications of HPM-based directed energy weapons (DEW).  Technology resulting from this project will speed advancement/transition of HPM-based directed energy weaponry from the laboratory to the warfighter.  Commercial technology spinoffs and applications in EMI suppression are also possible.