Affordable Broadband Radome

MSI proposes to develop a low cost broadband radome solution for use in future supersonic missile applications as well as investigate/demonstrate multi-functional capabilities that a composite radome wall offers by optimizing laminate configurations and frequency selective surface (FSS) materials. MSI fabricates radomes, and uses novel, near net techniques to build the thickness of the radome to the desired ½ wave, or multiple thereof, wall thickness for optimal transmission. Radome Analysis Computer Program, developed by Dr. Keith Huddleston is used to predict flat plate and radome wall profile transmission, loss, boresight, and boresight error slope for specific profiles. The fabrication process lends itself to the application and incorporation of a frequency selective surface (FSS), capacitor or inductor to be included in the laminate geometry. The challenge is to maintain optimal z axis placement of the FSS during fabrication and measure the relative error from what is predicted to test actual specimens. The opportunity presented in this proposal is the investigation of the performance benefits of this PMC approach with a generic FSS incorporated into multi-layered 2D laminates using woven and braided fiber architectures. The results of the investigation will be tied to a full-scale solution for a composite radome system to test the viability of such material improvements in Phase II.