Homocomposite Radomes

TDA Research proposes to develop the technology needed to set up a domestic manufacturing facility for making homocomposite radomes for high speed missiles. The proposed  homocomposites leverage TDA’s in-house fiber manufacturing facilities developed with current support from a  NAVSEA SBIR Phase 1 project. TDA is becoming the sole domestic source of the fibers required for optimum homocomposite radome performance. The ceramic for the homocomposites has previously demonstrated a dielectric constant below 3.0, and excellent retention of tensile strength to 1700 °C. That combination is ideal for the development of radomes that require microwave transparency and dimensional stability at extreme temperatures, as is required for future high speed missile systems. While the fiber manufacture is the scope of the other project, matrix formation, densification and composite evaluation would be the scope of the work proposed herein. At the end of Phase II, we expect to have the processes, procedures and equipment in place to provide full-scale homocomposite radome prototypes.