Conformal antenna array with wide scanning angle and low radar cross section for aerial platforms

This paper presents a conformal Yagi-Uda antenna array design that achieves wide-angle beam scanning and radar cross section suppression for conformal mounting. By integrating a slot-loaded radiator and a reflector based on a frequency selective surface, the proposed antenna maintains a directive pattern and suppresses mutual coupling and backscattering. Operating in the L-band, the array achieves a ± 61° scanning range in the horizontal plane with a −7.8 dB side-lobe level. The compact 2 × 3 FSS reflector resonates in the L-band to provide the required reflection for antenna operation and exhibits a high-transmission response in the C-band, thereby enabling more than 10 dB RCS reduction from 3.6 to 5.9 GHz under both TE and TM polarizations. Simulated and measured results validate a 10 dBi gain and a 48% RCS suppression bandwidth. The proposed configuration provides a promising conformal antenna solution for aerial platforms requiring both wide-angle beam scanning and reduced radar observability.