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DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY

Abstract: 24-Systems-249

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE

The Evolution of CTS and VICTS Phased Array Antennas for HPM Applications

Since their original invention in the late 1990’s, Continuous Transverse Stub (CTS) and Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VICTS) Phased Array Antennas have been successfully developed and deployed in a broad range of communication and radar applications and products across frequency ranges extending from C-band through W-band. High TRL products include conformal and even embedded examples deployed on various high-survivability Sub-Surface, Fixed, Ground Mobile, as well as both Classified and Unclassified Airborne platforms.

Both the CTS and VICTS arrays are passive, linear, reciprocal, all-metal antennas based on open parallel-plate transmission line structure paired with “continuous” low-Q radiators and leading to unusually wide operating bandwidths (> 40%,) wide scan volumes (> +/- 80 degrees) and low dissipative losses (< 0.5 dB.) In addition, when paired with a suitable high peak power RF source, high-fidelity simulations indicate that both CTS and VICTS antennas can reliably support Terawatt-Class EIRP Figures-of-Merit.

Though highly mature and widely deployed for communication and radar applications, the technology is relatively new to the HPM community. As such, this paper will briefly review the basic theory-of-operation of CTS and VICTS arrays, punctuated with specific fielded high-TRL communication and radar product examples. Based then on this foundation and background, this paper will further describe the latest HPM-specific applications currently under consideration including current and planned near-term developments and testing activities.

UNCLASSIFIED, PUBLIC RELEASE