Optimizing HF antenna systems on the Dolphin and Sea Hawk helicopters

Abstract

Making an aircraft available and modifying it to test various antenna systems and configurations is extremely costly. The computer model is an excellent alternative means of analyzing antenna systems for optimum communication system performance. In this study electromagnetic wire grid computer models of two helicopters and eight HF antenna configurations are developed using Interactive Graphics Utility for Automated NEC Analysis (IGUANA). Numerical Electromagnetics Code (NEC) is used to obtain radiation patterns, and the Advanced Prophet program is used to develop the criteria for judging system effectiveness. These computer results compare favorably with test range data, showing great savings of cost. They provide the additional advantage of showing radiation patterns at an elevated angle for sky wave propagation analysis (patterns which cannot be obtained on an antenna test range).