Dual-Use Structures: Apache Empennage Integral Driveshaft Cover Antenna

Many modern aircraft, including rotorcraft, require conformal antennas and fairings to reduce wind drag, ice accretion, lightning strikes, and impact damage. An innovative approach to embedding Very High Frequency (VHF) antenna elements in the leading and trailing edges of a helicopter empennage has been developed. A prototype has been fabricated and tested on a mockup of a helicopter empennage, consisting of the vertical stabilizer (tail), horizontal stabilator, and gearbox. Testing has shown that the design can meet typical communications range requirements. A history of helicopter empennage antennas, the development approach, design features and key innovations, and measured results are presented and discussed. The approach can be replicated on almost any current or future aircraft or rotorcraft.