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.

An unmanned high altitude aircraft operating above 15 km with transmitting and/or receiving antennas, enclosed or more than half enclosed on a projected area basis normal to the plane of the antenna(s), in a wing structure where the chord length of the wing section enclosing the phased arrays or horn antennas is at least 30 percent greater than the mean wing chord length, and the wing surface adjacent to the antenna(s) in the path of the electromagnetic radiation being received or transmitted by the antenna(s) is substantially composed of material relatively transparent to this radiation.

An antenna assembly for aircraft including: a vertical tail of the aircraft including a front spar, a leading edge skin covering a leading portion of the front spar and a rib extended between the front spar and the leading edge skin; an antenna radiating element extending a length of the vertical tail and positioned between the leading edge skin and the front spar; a first metallic element included with or attached to the front spar; a second metallic element, wherein the second metallical element is electrically coupled to the antenna radiating element and to the first metallic element; an antenna coupler in electrical electrically connected to the antenna radiating element and the first metallic element, and wherein a closed looped electrical circuit is formed by the antenna radiating element, the first metallic element, the second metallic element and the antenna coupler.

According to some aspects, an antenna is provided comprising a substrate, a first conductive region disposed on a first side of the substrate, a second conductive region disposed on a second side of the substrate, and a coaxial transmission line, an inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line electrically coupled to the first conductive region and an outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line electrically coupled to the second conductive region, wherein the second conductive region includes at least one structural feature that functions as a choke when the first and second conductive regions are operated together as an antenna. According to some aspects, an aerial vehicle comprising a conformal antenna is provided.

A composite panel may include a structural first laminate including a first composite material opaque to electromagnetic radiation, the first laminate further including an outer perimeter edge and an inner perimeter edge, and a structural second laminate including a second composite material transparent to electromagnetic radiation, the second laminate being disposed within and physically joined with the first laminate along the inner perimeter edge.

Some embodiments relate to a multiband antenna array formed on a flexible substrate. Low frequency antenna elements may be formed using nanoink. High frequency elements may be provided on a prefabricated antenna chip. The antenna array may be heated in a low temperature oven to sinter the nanoink into a solid antenna element. In some embodiments, an adhesive insulation layer may be provided which allows the antenna array to be attached to any surface. In other embodiments, the antenna array may be embedded in a composite material.

An antenna system can include a first panel of radiators that extend from a vertex in a first substantially linear direction. The antenna system can also include a second panel of radiators extending from the vertex in a second substantially linear direction. The first panel of radiators and the second panel of radiators form an angle between about 1 degree and about 45 degrees to enhance gain.

Methods and apparatus for molding and joining composite parts are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a tool base and a base mandrel removably coupled to the tool base, where the tool base and the base mandrel form a support structure base for a first radar assembly or a second radar assembly. A first part mandrel interchangeable with the base mandrel is removably coupled to the tool base, where the first part mandrel has first features to support a first antenna module during assembly of the first radar assembly. A second part mandrel interchangeable with the base mandrel is removably coupled to the tool base, where the second part mandrel having second features to support a second antenna module during assembly of the second radar assembly.

An air-to-ground network communication device may include a conductive groundplane and an antenna element. The conductive groundplane may be disposed to be substantially parallel to a surface of the earth. The antenna element may extend substantially perpendicularly away from the groundplane and may have an effective length between about 1, to about 1.5. The antenna element may be disposed at a distance of about 0.5 to about 1 from the groundplane.

The present invention relates to a method for determining a direction to a signal-emitting object by means of a platform comprising at least two antennas separated by a known distance. The method comprises said steps of: receiving, with each of said at least two antennas, a signal from said signal-emitting object at first positions, determining a first phase relation of said signal between said at least two antennas, receiving, with each of said at least two antennas, a signal from said signal-emitting object at at least second positions, determining at least a second phase relation of said signal between said at least two antennas, characterized by the steps of: determining change(s) in position(s) of at least one antenna of said at least two antennas, and determining a direction to a signal-emitting object based on said first phase relation, said at least second phase relation and said change(s) in position(s) of said at least one antenna. The invention further relates to a platform performing a determination of a direction to a signal-emitting object.