Embedded structural antennas

The embodiments described herein provide for composite panels that include elements that form one or more Radio Frequency (RF) antennas. The composite panels may be integrated along with other composite panels to form a composite structure for a vehicle. In some cases, the composite panels function both as elements of an RF antenna and as structural elements of the vehicle. In some cases, the composite panels function both as elements of an RF antenna and as a means for static charge dissipation. When operating as an RF antenna, the composite panels are inherently conformal with an outside surface of a composite structure.