Radome structure providing high ballistic protection with low signal loss

Abstract

A radome (12) has a composite wall structure including alternating layers of extended chain polyethylene (ECPE) fiber laminate material (26,30) which provides high ballistic protection with low RF signal loss, and fiberglass honeycomb core material (28) which provides high structural rigidity. An electronics assembly (18) and antenna elements (20) are mounted inside the radome (12), with the antenna elements (20) spaced between the electronics assembly (18) and the radome wall structure. A backing plate (24) including a layer of the laminate material (32) and an electrically conductive ground plane (34) are spaced between the electronics assembly (18) and the antenna elements (20). The numbers and thicknesses of the layers of laminate material (26,30) and core material (28) in the wall structure are selected such that the combined thickness of the layers of laminate material (26,30) has a maximum value at which the RF signal loss through the wall structure at a predetermined frequency is below an acceptable value. The backing plate (24) provides even greater ballistic protection for the electronics assembly (18).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.