An ultra-wideband electromagnetic source includes a voltage source and a pulser assembly electrically coupled to the voltage source. The pulser assembly includes a bipolar vector inversion generator (VIG) assembly, a peaking gap assembly coupled to the VIG assembly, and an oil lens assembly coupled to the peaking gap assembly. The ultra-wideband electromagnetic source also includes a balanced antenna assembly including one or more sets of antenna arms coupled to the oil lens assembly and an antenna reflector coupled to the one or more sets of antenna arms.