Design and performance of airborne radomes - A review
Abstract
Radomes for airborne amplification can be classified as either (1) large aircraft radomes of the nose-cone or under-fuselage type, (2) small aircraft radomes flush-mounted to the airframe, or (3) missile radomes. The geometry of the radome often leads to severe degradation of the electrical performance of any enclosed antenna. The requirement for a good aerodynamic shape is shown to influence the electromagnetic design of the radome, and the choice of dielectric materials is limited by the needs for structural strength, low weight, thermal stability, and rain erosion resistance. The radome performance may also be compromised by the scattering of electromagnetic waves from metallic pilot tubes and lightning protection strips outside the radome, as well as dielectric pressure tubes within it. The electromagnetic design of the three types of radomes are reviewed, sources of degradation of the enclosed antenna radiation pattern are examined, and the design requirements of the radomes, with respect to their operational environment, are discussed.
- Publication:
-
IEE Proceedings F: Communications Radar and Signal Processing
- Pub Date:
- December 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981IPCRS.128..451C
- Keywords:
-
- Airborne Equipment;
- Aircraft Antennas;
- Design Analysis;
- Electromagnetic Compatibility;
- Performance Prediction;
- Radomes;
- Aircraft Design;
- Antenna Radiation Patterns;
- Electromagnetic Scattering;
- Radome Materials;
- Structural Design;
- Thermal Stability;
- Weight Reduction;
- Communications and Radar