Pelican Defense designs, fabricates, and characterizes advanced RF systems for defense, aerospace, and high-reliability applications. We specialize in compact and purpose-built RF hardware including small antennas, HEMP/EMP-resilient subsystems, directed-energy RF components, and phased-array elements. Our team supports programs from concept through prototype, measurement, and environmental qualification.
Core Product Areas
Small & Specialized Antennas
We develop miniature, mission-specific antenna solutions for embedded systems, flight hardware, and constrained platforms.
Capabilities include:
- Low-profile and conformal antennas
- Broadband and multi-band structures
- Embedded antennas for PCBs, chips, and payload housings
- High-gain miniature antennas for small satellites and UAVs
We provide full 3D field modeling, S-parameter analysis, radiation pattern prediction, and in-lab characterization.
HEMP/EMP-Resilient RF Systems
Pelican Defense builds and tests RF hardware designed to survive high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP), system-level EMP, and fast-transient events.
Deliverables include:
- Hardened front-ends
- Shielding and filtering architectures
- Surge-tolerant RF paths
- Diagnostic structures to monitor exposure
We can architect and test HEMP-resilient subsystems as stand-alone products or integrate them into your broader survivability design.
Directed Energy (RF) Components
We support the design and evaluation of RF subsystems used in directed-energy and high-power RF applications.
Capabilities include:
- High-power RF components and couplers
- Energy-handling front ends
- RF pulse-conditioning hardware
- Structures for rapid switching and timing-sensitive applications
Testing covers power handling, pulse integrity, rise/fall time behavior, and failure mode characterization.
Phased Array Elements & Subsystems
Pelican Defense designs and prototypes phased-array elements and small array modules.
We provide:
- Radiating elements and lattice design
- Beam-steering controllers and embedded diagnostics
- Thermal and environmental hardening strategies
- Full test plans for array performance validation
Prototype arrays can be integrated with embedded sensors or used as part of larger apertures.
RF Characterization & Measurement
We offer complete RF testing and measurement services:
- Antenna pattern measurements (near-field or far-field)
- Gain, bandwidth, efficiency, and polarization testing
- S-parameters and network analysis
- Time-domain reflectometry (TDR)
- Power-handling and survivability testing
- Material characterization for RF substrates and coatings
Whether you need a single antenna evaluated or a full RF subsystem validated for mission deployment, Pelican Defense provides actionable, defensible data.
End-to-End Support
From concept sketches to prototypes and lab characterization, we support every stage of RF hardware development. Programs engage us for:
- Rapid antenna prototyping
- Survivability-oriented RF subsystem design
- Validation of RF hardware under extreme environments
- Integration of RF diagnostics into broader system architectures
Our RF capabilities complement our radiation-effects, embedded diagnostics, and microfabrication services to deliver complete, mission-ready solutions.