The system for an antenna assembly for use on unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). The antennas are low-cost, lightweight, single-use, and have a small form factor amenable to use on a micro-UUV. A central post and pivotally attached arms form an antenna (e.g., a monopole) that is lifted via an aerial, kite, or the like, when deployed from the UUV to extend the line of site of the antenna several meters above the surface of the water. In some cases, the antenna may be used on a number of UUVs in a swarm formation.

An inflatable beacon antenna assembly includes an inflatable sock, an antenna, an attachment port, and a ballast. The inflatable sock may have an inflated state and a deflated state, where the inflatable sock assumes an elongated configuration in the inflated state. The antenna may extend along the length of the inflatable sock. The attachment port may be configured for operable connection to an inflation mechanism. Two or more integrated antennas can be used for multi-frequency VHF/UHF beacon operation and/or a GPS antenna for position location.

Systems and methods for communicating a signal over a fuel line in a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a system can include a fuel line. The fuel line can include at least one communication medium for propagating a communication signal. The system can also include at least one signal communication device configured to receive the communication signal communicated over the fuel line. The system can also include at least one vehicle component in communication with the at least one signal communication device.

Surface elements, such as protrusions, are provided for use on the surface of flow-following apparatuses, such as surface drifters or subsurface drogues, to enhance the hydrodynamic properties of the apparatus and enhance their capabilities to follow fluid motion. The protrusions may comprise helical strakes or splitter plates for optimizing the drag-to-inertia ratio of the flow-following apparatus, with the goal to enhance their flow-following capabilities. In some embodiments, the flow-following apparatus has a generally axisymmetric body shape, such as having a cylindrical, spherical or oblong shape. The flow-following apparatus may further comprise a position tracking device to track flow motion such as ocean currents.

The present invention provides an antenna array which includes a structure in the form of a hexagonal pyramid with a flat top surface/facet. According to preferred aspects, the pedestal support of the present invention preferably further includes six side facets which are preferably disposed 60 degrees from each other. Preferably, each side facet preferably supports a patch antenna and the top facet supports a top/zenith antenna. According to a preferred embodiment, the azimuth antennas may be offset from the ground plane by an angle between 20 and 60 degrees. The zenith antenna is preferably substantially parallel to the ground plane.

An antenna array module for a communication system on a cargo ship, includes at least a first, a second and a third antenna element, each mounted on a ground plane and containing an antenna feed. The first antenna element is tilted with respect to the second antenna element. The first and the second antenna element are arranged to radiate mainly towards a first path along the cargo ship and the third antenna element is arranged to radiate mainly towards a second path opposite to the first path.

An antenna array module for a communication system on a cargo ship, includes at least a first, a second and a third antenna element, each mounted on a ground plane and containing an antenna feed. The first antenna element is tilted with respect to the second antenna element. The first and the second antenna element are arranged to radiate mainly towards a first path along the cargo ship and the third antenna element is arranged to radiate mainly towards a second path opposite to the first path.

A military vessel may include a directable weapon and an antenna. The antenna can be swiveled from a first position, in which the antenna is disposed essentially vertically, into a second position, in which a height of the antenna above the military vessel is reduced to increase a directing range of the directable weapon compared to the first position. A method for operating a military vessel with a directable weapon and an antenna may involve swiveling the antenna from a first position, in which the antenna is disposed essentially vertically, into a second position, in which the height of the antenna above the vessel is reduced to increase the directing range of the weapon compared to the first position.

A military vessel may include a directable weapon and an antenna. The antenna can be swiveled from a first position, in which the antenna is disposed essentially vertically, into a second position, in which a height of the antenna above the military vessel is reduced to increase a directing range of the directable weapon compared to the first position. A method for operating a military vessel with a directable weapon and an antenna may involve swiveling the antenna from a first position, in which the antenna is disposed essentially vertically, into a second position, in which the height of the antenna above the vessel is reduced to increase the directing range of the weapon compared to the first position.

A method for reducing expected switchovers in antennas tracking at least one satellite. The method predicts an operation of a predetermined number of subsets of antennas during a simulated time interval. The subsets are derived from at least three antennas. Each of the at least three antennas has a field of view and is operative to selectively receive signals from and selectively transmit signals to a satellite in the respective field of view. The method determines, based on the predicted operation, an expected number of switchovers for each of the subsets during the simulated time interval. The method selects a selected subset from the subsets for communicating with the satellite. The selection of the selected subset is based on the expected number of switchovers.