SBIR/STTR
Opportunity
Affordable Ka-Band Metamaterial-Based Electronically Scanned Array Radar for Test and Training
Department:
U.S. Army
Open Date:
2025-09-24
Close Date:
2025-10-17
Technology Area:
Advanced Materials and Processes
Semiconductor / Microelectronics
External Website:
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this topic is to provide low-cost Ka-Band radar solutions through advancements in metamaterials to mimic the performance of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) without the high price. In addition, software-related technologies and any other applicable advanced technologies should be analyzed and utilized.
DESCRIPTION: The Test and Evaluation community has a need for multiple low-cost high-performance Ka band radars that can be utilized to emulate threat representative systems. Currently the cost of these systems for the above-mentioned usage is prohibited. Advancements in metamaterials and low-cost software solutions show promise in reducing the cost of Ka-Band arrays while maintaining high performance. Metamaterial-based arrays could eliminate expensive transmit/receive modules utilized in traditional AESAs and reduce production cost substantially. The objective production cost of a turnkey metamaterial-based Ka-Band radar of interest is $300K. Feasibility of low cost to be analyzed during Phase I. The frequency range of interest is 30 GHz to 40 GHz, with beam switching speeds in the 10 microseconds to 20 microseconds range, switchable polarization (left and right hand circular), range of 20 Km (0dBsm).
The objective of this topic is to provide low-cost Ka-Band radar solutions through advancements in metamaterials to mimic the performance of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) without the high price. In addition, software-related technologies and any other applicable advanced technologies should be analyzed and utilized.
DESCRIPTION: The Test and Evaluation community has a need for multiple low-cost high-performance Ka band radars that can be utilized to emulate threat representative systems. Currently the cost of these systems for the above-mentioned usage is prohibited. Advancements in metamaterials and low-cost software solutions show promise in reducing the cost of Ka-Band arrays while maintaining high performance. Metamaterial-based arrays could eliminate expensive transmit/receive modules utilized in traditional AESAs and reduce production cost substantially. The objective production cost of a turnkey metamaterial-based Ka-Band radar of interest is $300K. Feasibility of low cost to be analyzed during Phase I. The frequency range of interest is 30 GHz to 40 GHz, with beam switching speeds in the 10 microseconds to 20 microseconds range, switchable polarization (left and right hand circular), range of 20 Km (0dBsm).