Portable Fast Antenna Masts: Design of the Navy's Next-Generation Masts

As shipboard platforms become increasingly reliant on electronic systems for communications, radar, navigation, fire control, friend and foe identification, electronic countermeasures, and aircraft combat, it is recognized that complex and diverse deck electronics are useless.

Therefore, the previous antenna masts are no longer suitable and require careful scientific planning. Next, in this blog, I will present the design of a new generation of antenna masts.

Various Types of Aluminum Antenna Masts

The best place to install antennas or sensors for various types of shipboard electronic systems is the ship mast. To this end, naval ship designers have designed a variety of antenna and sensor masts, such as motorized antenna mast, portable fast antenna mast, enclosed mast, and so on.

Enclosed aluminum antenna mast

The changing needs and technological developments of the Navy have given rise to various types of antenna masts. Of all these masts, the galvanized mast remains the preferred choice in most cases due to its lower radar RCS, improved life cycle maintenance, less vibration, and the ability to carry heavier modern equipment.

However, the design of the portable fast antenna mast is not limited to the placement of sensors. The design of the mast is directly related to the design of the ship itself, as its weight will affect the stability of the ship. Air resistance will affect the speed of the ship, and the placement of the antenna will affect the electromagnetic environment and radiation hazards at the top.

Next Generation Mast - Portable Fast Antenna Mast

The traditional ship aluminum antenna mast has various disadvantages, including a large amount of steel, exposed sensors, electromagnetic induction, noise, expensive maintenance costs, etc., which has prompted designers to look for alternatives.

Therefore, in recent years, there has been a lot of interest in the concept of composite portable antenna masts. Various designs are in development.

These designs are designed to place the sensor and antenna under the protection of the mast, allowing the sensor to "see" the panel structure of the mast, providing better signal and coverage.

The British-designed antenna mast is designed to support the design of future surface ships and retrofits to existing ships. Sensors and radios are completely enclosed in the radar-reflecting mast structure. Portable antenna masts have very large rectangular cross-sections that taper from bottom to top.

The Integrated Antenna Mast (I-MAST) designed by the Netherlands is a completely different design approach from conventional sensor layouts. This portable fast antenna mast integrates sensors into the structure itself. The central mast structure contains radar, electro-optical, communication sensors, and antennas as well as all cabinets and peripherals.

This integrated antenna mast concept improves upon the situation where ships must be outfitted with sensors and antennas when fully completed.

In Conclusion

Despite the variety of advanced mast designs that have emerged in recent years, it is safe to say that the portable fast antenna mast will certainly be an integral part of future ship designs.

Finally, our portable fast antenna mast series offers a solution that is flexible enough to fit various vessel sizes and meet different customer requirements. Any needs, welcome to contact us.