Aero-structural and Electromagnetic Design Optimisation of Maritime Patrol Aircraft Radome Using Direct Search Algorithms

Abstract

Airborne surveillance systems such as Maritime Patrol Aircraft are deployed by armed forces to collect surveillance information on airborne and sea surface enemy targets. Airborne Electronically Scanned Array Radar is an electromagnetic sensor integrated on this aircraft. The antenna of this radar is installed generally in belly of a turboprop aircraft. An electro-magnetically transparent cover, called radome, protects this antenna to protect itfrom various environmental effects, like rain, dust, etc. Installation of the radome results in additional drag, weightand electromagnetic signal loss. The Pareto optimality involving three design disciplines of structure, erodynamicsand electromagnetics is attempted with direct search optimisation algorithm NSGA II.


A-sandwich construction.
… 


Radome shape.
… 


best radome designs. m and its height is 308mm. The core thickness is 6.75 mm. Radome with the least EM loss design (0.044 dB) is 1.7 m long and 307 mm tall. It has 2 layers in inner & outer layers and 4.25 mm core. The radome which offers the least drag (154 N) is having a length of 1.9 m long and a height of 304 mm. Table 3 gives details of designs, which are least optimum in terms of each objective, lying on the Pareto front. On a Pareto front, designs are such that if there is degradation in one objective, there is betterment in others.
… 

Description