Survivable Ballistic Antenna Radome

In this effort, a team comprising of JEM Engineering and the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials proposes to develop multifunctional radomes for Future Combat Systems vehicle platforms that are capable of surviving ballistic impacts from small arms and similar threats. A concurrent design approach is proposed where composite materials that are capable of high levels of energy absorption will be evaluated as candidate materials in a radome design. A database of relevant material properties (dielectric and mechanical) will be developed to assist in material selection and design. Computational models will be developed for the radome to enable design iterations based on materials and geometry and used to predict both electromagnetic and ballistic performance. Representative composite panels based on the selected radome design, will be fabricated and tested. Electromagnetic performance will be quantified and used to validate the computational model. Quasi-static test methods will be used to evaluate energy absorption capability, with ballistic testing planned for the Option phase of the program. It is expected that Phase I will culminate in a prototype construction of a radome that can meet both the electromagnetic and ballistic requirements.