Compact conformal patch antenna

An antenna system comprising:

• an array of conformal patch antennas;
• and
• a combining element to combine signals received by the patch antennas,
• wherein each conformal patch antenna is comprised of:
• an aperture layer having an at least partially metallized surface at least one aperture slot therein, and a feed-network layer positioned adjacent to the aperture layer and having a feed network metallized thereon, the feed network providing the signals received through the aperture layer to the combining element.

A method of making a conformal patch antenna comprising:

• generating a pre-shaped dielectric portion of an aperture layer and a feed-network layer;
• applying metallization to at least a portion of a surface of the dielectric portion of the aperture layer to provide an aperture;
• applying metallization to a recessed area of the dielectric portion of the feed-network layer to provide a feed network;
• and
• joining the aperture layer and feed-network layer to form the antenna.