Antenna Experts has developed a robust portfolio of Flight Termination System Antenna (FTS antennas) designed to work in the harshest of environments and meet the most stringent of technical requirements. Designs range from omnidirectional, directional, sector with linear (V or H) and Circular (RHCP or LHCP) antennas meant for larger diameter launch vehicles to wraparound antennas purposed for smaller diameter missiles, sounding rockets, and other platforms.
Antenna Experts FTS Antenna (Flight Termination System) antennas, also known as command destruct antennas, can be used at various Air Force bases and missile ranges. Antenna Experts have several Flight Termination Systems (FTS) antenna options available including high gain, fixed beam, LHCP or RHCP polarized antennas.
| 1. | FTS-400-550-HL | 400-550MHz | Helix | 12dBic | 400-550 MHz | Directional | RHCP or LHCP | 40 Degrees | 40 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 2. | FTS-400-550-HL-1KW | 400-550MHz | Helix | 12dBic | 400-550 MHz | Directional | RHCP or LHCP | 40 Degrees | 40 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 3. | FTS-370-450-HL-2KW | 400-550MHz | Helix | 12dBic | 370-450 MHz | Directional | RHCP or LHCP | 40 Degrees | 40 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 4. | FTS-370-500-QH | 370-500MHz. | Circular Omni | 3dBic | 370-500MHz | Omni | RHCP or LHCP | 360 Degrees | 100 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 5. | FTS-370-500-QH-1KW | 370-500MHz. | Circular Omni | 3dBic | 370-500MHz | Omni | RHCP or LHCP | 360 Degrees | 100 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 6. | FTS-370-500-QH-2KW | 370-500MHz. | Circular Omni | 3dBic | 370-500MHz | Omni | RHCP or LHCP | 360 Degrees | 100 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 7. | FTS-370-550-CD | 370-550MHz. | Vertical Omni | 3dBi | 370-550MHz | Omni | Linear Vertical | 360 Degrees | 80 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 8. | FTS-370-550-CD-1KW | 370-550MHz. | Vertical Omni | 3dBi | 370-550MHz | Omni | Linear Vertical | 360 Degrees | 80 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female | | 9. | FTS-370-550-CD-2KW | 370-550MHz. | Vertical Omni | 3dBi | 370-550MHz | Omni | Linear Vertical | 360 Degrees | 80 Degrees | 50 Ohms | Fiberglass | N-Female |
Please contact us for detailed datasheet in PDF format including image, VSWR curve & radiation patterns.
FTS-400-550-HL: High-Gain Helical Command Destruct Technology 500 Watts to 2000 Watts
The FTS-400-550-HL is a high-performance, directional helical antenna specifically engineered for mission-critical command destruct sequences within Flight Termination Systems. Delivering a significant 12 dBic gain, this broadband antenna utilizes circular polarization (available in both RHCP and LHCP) to ensure superior signal penetration through atmospheric obstructions and RF interference. A key tactical advantage of this model is its integrated dual-axis mounting system, which allows for full 360-degree azimuth steering and 90-degree elevation adjustment. This flexibility is essential for maintaining a continuous, high-strength link with launch vehicles or missiles during complex flight trajectories. The internal helical structure is protected by a ruggedized ABS and fiberglass radome, finished in MIL-spec olive green to ensure survivability against extreme wind loads and ice formation.
FTS-370-500-QH-2KW: Hemispherical Circular Polarized Omni-Directional Array with 2KW Power Rating
Engineered for wide-area situational awareness, the FTS-370-500-QH-2KW provides hemispherical, omni-directional coverage above the horizon while suppressing negative angle radiation to reduce ground multipath interference. This model is built around a specialized "Teflon Dielectric Transmission Line" technique, which enables high-power handling of up to 2000 Watts while maintaining a stable 3 dBi gain and smooth VSWR. To accommodate diverse deployment scenarios, the antenna can be configured with standard mast-mounting hardware for fixed Air Force bases or a NATO 4-hole flange for vehicular and tactical mobile applications. Its high-transparency fiberglass enclosure and copper alloy radiators are designed for "set-and-forget" operation, requiring no field tuning or maintenance adjustments even in salt-heavy coastal environments.
FTS-370-550-CD-2KW: Vertical Polarized High-Power Coaxial Dipole with 2KW Power Handling Capacity
The FTS-370-550-CD serves as a robust vertical polarized alternative within the Flight Termination System portfolio, optimized for broadband omni-directional performance. Like its circular-polarized counterparts, it integrates the high-power Teflon Dielectric Transmission Line architecture, allowing it to manage the extreme thermal loads associated with high-wattage command destruct transmitters. The antenna is housed in a cylindrical fiberglass shell that minimizes wind resistance and prevents the mechanical degradation associated with radial ice accumulation. Designed for maximum life-cycle durability, this model is frequently qualified as part of a larger FTS system to meet stringent military standards, ensuring that the command destruct link remains viable across a broad temperature range and through the intense vibrations of a launch environment.
Technical Resilience and Stringent Qualification Standards
All antennas in the FTS series are developed to meet the most demanding aerospace and military requirements, often serving as the final safety link for launch vehicles, sounding rockets, and missiles. These systems are qualified under strict protocols to ensure they can withstand the "worst-case" environmental variables, including sandstorms, saline spray, and high-velocity wind. With a standard power handling capacity of 2000 Watts, these antennas are adaptable to various frequency bands and polarization requirements. By utilizing low-profile, high-strength radomes and corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware, Antenna Experts provides a reliable communication solution that ensures flight safety protocols can be executed with absolute precision regardless of external atmospheric conditions.
FTS Flight Termination Systems helical antenna is supplied with a specially designed mounting arrangement for steering the antenna in both planes, 360 degrees in Azimuth and 90 degrees in Elevation for terrestrial and satellite link. Both LHCP and RHCP models of Flight Termination Systems antenna are available. The part number for LHCP version is FTS-400-550-HL-LHCP and FTS-400-550-HL -RHCP is for RHCP version.
The FTS circular polarized Flight Termination Systems helical antenna is completely protected within a high-tech ruggedized radome which is made of high strength ABS enclosure to ensure survivability in the worst environments conditions The heavy duty fiber glass enclosure has excellent transparency for RF signals and enough strength to withstand more than specified wind loads. Cylindrical enclosure is used for low wind loading and for minimal effect of ice formation on the high power broad band Flight Termination Systems antenna operation as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The antenna is supplied with olive green MIL color finish. Other customized housing/radome color can also be supplied on request.
FTS-370-500-QH is a broadband circular polarized horizontal omni-directional Flight Termination Systems antenna is rugged all weather model, enclosed in a fiber glass radome, uses high class copper alloy and does not require any field tuning or adjustments. The FTS-370-500-QH can be supplied either with standard pole/mast mounting hardware for fixed station application or NATO 4 holes flange for vehicular mounting application. Customized mounting hardware / configuration can be supplied on request with these FTS antenna. Similarly antenna with customized color can also be supplied on request.
FTS-370-550-CD is a broadband vertical polarized omni-directional FTS antenna is rugged all weather model, enclosed in a fiber glass radome, uses high class copper alloy and does not require any field tuning or adjustments. The FTS-370-550-CD can be supplied either with standard pole/mast mounting hardware for fixed station application or NATO 4 holes flange for vehicular mounting application. Customized mounting hardware / configuration can be supplied on request. Similarly Flight Termination Systems antenna with customized color can also be supplied on request.
These FTS series FTS antennas are often qualified as a system to cut down on testing costs, and they are routinely qualified to the very strict standards. Out FTS series antenna is designed to handle input power of 1500 watts.
Our FTS series Flight Termination Systems antenna design provides maximum life cycle over a broad temperature range in the most extreme environments including salt, sand, and radial ice. Antenna Experts provides customizable Flight Termination Systems antenna configurations that can be purchased in alternate frequency bands with various power handling options to meet customer specifications.
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