Nose and inlet duct radomes for the firebolt aerial target

Radomes of the Firebolt Aerial Target (AQM-81A) facilitate an uncommon set of operational conditions. The target vehicle is first carried captively. Stones may be dislodged from the runway and impact the Nose or Inlet Duct Radomes with considerable force. The drone has various flight profiles after launch, encompassing levels of MACH 1.2 at 35,000 feet to MACH 4 at 100,000 feet. For flights of 10 minutes, attendant aerothermal loads produce temperature peaks of 680 deg F and 980 deg F for the Nose and Inlet Duct units, respectively. Firebolt is normally retrieved, by helicopter after its parachute deploys, for refurbishment and re-use. Occasionally, sea recovery is effected using flotation gear. Electrically, the Nose Radome accommodates an L-band antenna for the electronic scoring system, and a small circulary polarized X-band horn. The Inlet Duct Radome houses an identical broad-beamed horn.