Advanced Materials for Hypersonic Radomes

This paper refers to studies and researches for design and develop hypersonic radomes in the frame of Hyperion project of Campania Aerospace District (DAC). A radome for hypersonic vehicles has been designed, able to comply aerodynamic and thermal requirements of hypersonic flight and host an antenna ensuring its electrical functionality. Detailed simulations have been performed to assess temperature and stress in the operative conditions of hypersonic flight and also antenna performance degradation due to the radome. Demonstrator at reduced scale is been manufactured and tested in order to validate material, design and manufacturing approach for hypersonic not asymmetric radome. Electromagnetic performance was assessed through experimental measurements in Ku-band. Results demonstrate strong agreement between simulations and experiments and represent an important milestone in the development of non-axially symmetric hypersonic radomes.