An antenna assembly includes a driven element, a first set of antenna elements disposed a first distance from the driven element such that each element of the first set of antenna elements is equidistant from adjacent elements of the first set of antenna elements, and a second set of antenna elements disposed a second distance from the driven element such that each element of the second set of antenna elements is equidistant from adjacent elements of the second set of antenna elements, the second distance being larger than the first distance. The antenna assembly includes or is operably coupled to a selector module configured to select one element of the first set of antenna elements as a selected director, and select one element of the second set of antenna elements as a selected reflector by effectively shortening a length of the selected director and effectively lengthening the selected reflector.

The array antenna are disposed on a planar antenna adapter. The antenna adapter is disposed to face an outer surface of a mobile object with a gap interposed therebetween, and is provided with a plurality of through holes, each of which penetrates a first surface on which the array antenna is disposed and a second surface facing the outer surface of the mobile object. The array antenna and the antenna adapter are covered by a radome. A skirt is fixed to the outer peripheral edge of the antenna adapter, and the skirt is joined to the radome and the outer surface of the mobile object. A blower is disposed in a space hermetically enclosed by the radome, the skirt and the outer surface of the mobile object to generate an airflow that flows in a space surrounded by the radome and the first surface.

Disclosed are embodiments of exterior aircraft assemblies integrating compatible elements. In one example, an integrated aircraft assembly includes an aerodynamic housing attachable to an aircraft, an antenna system including at least one antenna element housed within the aerodynamic housing, and a lighting system including at least one light fixture housed within the aerodynamic housing. The at least one antenna element and the at least one light fixture may be co-located within then housing or mounted separately on the housing.

An antenna positioner provided on a deployable vehicle. The antenna positioner includes a base and a frame having a plurality of plates oriented at an angle relative to one another. Each plate may include a low band antenna and a high band antenna. The base is located inside a chamber of the deployable vehicle. The frame is movable relative to the base between a collapsed position, where the entire frame is positioned within the chamber, and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the frame extends outwardly through an opening in the deployable vehicle's exterior wall. The frame is pivotally engaged with the base and a gearing mechanism pivots the frame between the collapsed position and the extended position to arrange the antennas at a desired orientation relative to the deployable vehicle's exterior wall so as to maximize the antenna's near-vertical Field of View (FoV).

A system and method for ESA quadrant mechanical reconfiguration functions to shift some of the complexity from algorithmic manipulation of received radar data to mechanical transformation of a simple panel structure to achieve desired performance in a desired ESA boresight. The system receives a rotation trigger based on an external event such as altitude and mission and causes two or more simple ESA panels to rotate from a first azimuthal position to a second common azimuthal position without stopping at an intermediate azimuth. Once positioned, each individual rotational ESA panel is combined to function as a single aggregate ESA enabling desired performance in field of view, resolution, and range along a common boresight.

A gasket is disclosed for use as an environmental seal between a first aircraft part having planer surface and a second aircraft part having a planer surface, the two planer parts spread apart and engaged with fasteners. The gasket, in some embodiments, is compressible between the planer surfaces. The gasket, in some embodiments, comprises a first tabular portion having tabular portion properties and having a first tabular thickness and a length and a width, the length and width much greater than the first tabular thickness; and a second tabular portion having tabular portion properties having a second tabular thickness, a length and width, the length and width much greater than the second tabular thickness; and a tabular skeleton. The first and second tabular portions and the skeleton are positioned parallel to one another. The skeleton is at least partly contacting one of the tabular portions. The first tabular portion and the second tabular portion differ in at least one tabular portion property.

Circularly polarized directional antennas and methods of fabrication are provided. An antenna comprises conductive elements above a conductive reflector. The conducting elements are spaced radially outward from the center axis. The elements may be spaced equidistantly about each other or may be spaced between 10 and 80 degrees apart. The elements may be straight or curved. The elements may be a parallel to the reflector or may curve away or toward the reflector. The lengths and widths of each conductive element are adjusted to create or receive a circularly polarized wave of particular rotation based on the location in the element system. The elements are located within a printed circuit board that is bonded to a coaxial cable feedline placed above a metallic reflector. Each conducting element comprises a metallic wire.

An aerial device for a vehicle, particularly an aircraft, includes an aerial arrangement and a lens, which includes a first lens area, made of a first material with a first dielectric constant, overlapping the aerial arrangement and a second lens area, made of a second material with a second dielectric constant, overlapping the first lens area, with the second dielectric constant being smaller than the first dielectric constant, and wherein the second lens area extends in a longitudinal direction and in a curve in respect of a vertical direction oriented transverse to the longitudinal direction.

An antenna positioner provided on a deployable vehicle. The antenna positioner includes a base and a frame having a plurality of plates oriented at an angle relative to one another. Each plate may include a low band antenna and a high band antenna. The base is located inside a chamber of the deployable vehicle. The frame is movable relative to the base between a collapsed position, where the entire frame is positioned within the chamber, and an extended position wherein at least a portion of the frame extends outwardly through an opening in the deployable vehicle's exterior wall. The frame is pivotally engaged with the base and a gearing mechanism pivots the frame between the collapsed position and the extended position to arrange the antennas at a desired orientation relative to the deployable vehicle's exterior wall so as to maximize the antenna's near-vertical Field of View (FoV).

A gasket is disclosed for use as an environmental seal between a first aircraft part having planer surface and a second aircraft part having a planer surface, the two planer parts spread apart and engaged with fasteners. The gasket, in some embodiments, is compressible between the planer surfaces. The gasket, in some embodiments, comprises a first tabular portion having tabular portion properties and having a first tabular thickness and a length and a width, the length and width much greater than the first tabular thickness; and a second tabular portion having tabular portion properties having a second tabular thickness, a length and width, the length and width much greater than the second tabular thickness; and a tabular skeleton. The first and second tabular portions and the skeleton are positioned parallel to one another. The skeleton is at least partly contacting one of the tabular portions. The first tabular portion and the second tabular portion differ in at least one tabular portion property.