A satellite communication system for an aircraft communicates with multiple satellite constellations. The communication system includes a phased array antenna system and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to communicate with a number of satellite constellations and configured to support simultaneously links to two or more constellations via the phased array antenna system. The satellite constellations can be micro-satellite, MEO, LEO, and GEO constellations.

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 present invention provides an unmanned aerial vehicle built-in antenna. The unmanned aerial vehicle built-in antenna includes a substrate and a microstrip antenna disposed on the substrate. The substrate is provided with a first surface and a second surface disposed opposite to each other. The microstrip antenna includes a microstrip feeder, an antenna element arm, a grounding wire and a first grounding terminal that are disposed on the first surface of the substrate, a second grounding terminal disposed on the second surface of the substrate and a feeding coaxial line. A feed terminal of the feeding coaxial line is connected to a first terminal of the microstrip feeder, and a grounding terminal of the feeding coaxial line is connected to the first grounding terminal. A first end of the grounding wire is connected to a first terminal of the antenna element arm, and a second end of the grounding wire is connected to the first grounding terminal. The first grounding terminal is connected to the second grounding terminal.

Provided is a flying body comprising an antenna for forming a communication area by a beam irradiated toward the ground to provide wireless communication service for a user terminal in the communication area; and an attachment/detachment part configured to physically attach to and detach from another flying body for combining with and separating from another flying body. Provided is also a flying body comprising an antenna for forming a communication area by a beam irradiated toward the ground to provide wireless communication service for a user terminal in the communication area; a cable having an attachment/detachment part configured to physically attach to and detach from another flying body; a cable communication unit configured to communicate with another flying body via the cable; and an electric power transmission unit configured to transmit electric power with another flying body via the cable.

A folded slot structurally integrated antenna is defined within the structure of the vertical stabilizer. The folded slot structurally integrated antenna comprises a first terminal with a flared portion, a substantially constant slot width potion, and a second terminal with a flared portion. The substantially constant slot width potion may include one or more curvatures to extend the length of the folded slot structurally integrated antenna within the vertical stabilizer. The antenna system may utilize reactive loading or dynamic slot length switching. A platform may include folded slot structurally integrated antennas in both a vertical stabilizer and horizontal wings or winglets. Horizontal and vertical folded slot structurally integrated antennas may be utilized to produce various polarization profiles.

A system of high-frequency (HF) antennas is disposed on various aircraft body panels. The antennas are configured for orthogonal polarization such that NVIS may be operable no matter the state of the ionosphere. The antennas are disposed on substantially perpendicular body panels so that, when operated in concert, the resulting signals have opposite polarization and at least one signal will bounce off the ionosphere.

A system of spiral antennas is incorporated into aircraft body panels. The spiral antennas may be slot or printed material antennas, cavity backed for unidirectional communication, or open for bi-directional communication. The spiral antennas are operated in concert as a steerable array. The spiral antennas are utilized for various signal functions including ultra-wideband communications and electronic support measures interferometry.

An elongate antenna assembly (1) for an aircraft including a structural section (3) and an antenna element (5), wherein the structural section (3) includes an elongate leading edge section (7) extending in a longitudinal direction (13) of the antenna assembly, a first lateral section (9), and a second lateral section (11), wherein the leading edge section (7) is curved such that the leading edge section (7) comprises a convex outer surface (15) extending in the longitudinal direction (13) of the antenna assembly (1) on a convex side (19) of the antenna assembly.

An aircraft has a fuselage, a wing assembly coupleable to the fuselage, and an empennage including a pair of tail booms configured to be removably coupled to the wing assembly. The wing assembly includes a pair of boom interfaces located on laterally opposite sides of the fuselage. Each tail boom has a boom forward end configured to be mechanically attached to one of the boom interfaces using an externally-accessible mechanical fastener.

An electromagnetic radiator with ground plane having discontinuities is disclosed. A disclosed example antenna includes an antenna element, including a first conductive material adjacent to a first dielectric material, to transmit a signal. The disclosed example antenna further includes a microstrip feed network, including a second conductive material adjacent to a second dielectric material, to transmit power to the antenna element, the antenna element proximity coupled to the microstrip feed network. The disclosed example antenna further includes a ground plane, including a third conductive material adjacent to a third dielectric material, to provide a signal return path, the ground plane including gaps regularly spaced in the third conductive material.