Development of hybrid composite radar wave absorbing structure for stealth applications

Abstract

The ideally invisible stealth radomes are usually sandwiched constructions composed of E-glass/epoxy composite, polyvinyl chloride foam and frequency selective surfaces (FSS). Nylon 6/6 and balsa wood are well known for their low dielectric properties. In this work the electromagnetic (EM) wave transmission characteristics of the existing stealth radomes were improved by employing nylon 6/6 fibre and balsa wood, along with E-glass/epoxy composite without compromising the mechanical properties. The free space measurement technique was performed to measure the EM wave transmission characteristics in the X-band frequency range (8.2-12.4 GHz) for a specific FSS. The flexural strength of the sandwiched constructions were investigated with three-point bending test.