Manpack Antennas for Military Applications

Manpack antennas are used to transmit and receive signals by military manpack and portable radio systems, which are carried by military personnel for communications on-the-move (COTM).

They may also be used for military manpack jammer systems, which are portable devices that are used to disrupt enemy radio and cellular communications in the field.

Antennas for military manpack radios may be designed specifically to transmit and receive signals on particular portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, including RF bands such as UHF, VHF and HF, and microwave frequencies such as L, S and C bands. Multiband antennas may be used to enable radios to operate on more than one band.

Manpack Antenna Form Factors

Military manpack antennas are available in various form factors, including tape, blade and whip antenna designs. Some are foldable to make them more compact when not in use, and may be constructed from carbon fiber to ensure that weight is kept as low as possible.

Flexible gooseneck antennas allow easy adjustment of the antenna angle, and also help prevent damage from snags or impact.

Manpack antennas may also be sealed to prevent water and dust ingress, and may feature other ruggedization features according to MIL-STD-810 environmental standards.

Military Backpack Antenna Systems

The term “manpack antenna” is also used to refer to military backpackable antenna systems that are typically deployed to allow personnel to access SATCOM (satellite communications) in remote areas where other communications infrastructure may not be available.

These systems may operate on the Ku, Ka or X bands, and typically include a reflector dish and tripod as well as the antenna itself. They can be powered from a range of sources including batteries, solar panels, generators and vehicle power supplies, and may include auto-pointing mechanisms that align the antenna with the required satellite.