Saint-Gobain has specialized in the design, development and manufacture of high performance, high quality radomes for over 45 years. Saint-Gobain takes great pride in its knowledge and expertise, as well as our ability to manufacture a high quality product that complies with the customer’s specification and FAA regulatory requirements.
Technical assistance is provided pre-contract for request for information and proposals, Spec/SOW development, aircraft interface design, performance expectations, development risk assessments, and certification plans. Technical expertise is provided during the development contract in the form of drawings, analyses, test plans & reports, and can include FAA Engineering approvals when delegated. Service support is provided via Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, and repair substantiation beyond the ICA.
Saint-Gobain Engineering uses current computer aided engineering:
- CATIA V5 & V5 for 3D Solids Modeling & Drafting
- NASTRAN, PATRAN/ABAQUS, ANSYS, and ALGOR for Finite Element
Modeling
- Proprietary RF Modeling of Radome Wall Constructions validated to MMW
- A Saint-Gobain Engineer has received the coveted 2003 Pioneer Award for the advancement of lightning protection systems on Predictive
- Windshear Radomes for Air Transports. aircraft industry
Key Technologies
Sandwich Design for Structural and RF Performance: Mixing materials and thickness to optimize design for best total performance. Glass or Quartz, Honeycomb or Foam.
Quartz Technology: Honeycomb and thermoplastic foam sandwich structures. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Final decision is customer preference or unique requirement of particular application.
Other Technologies
Ballistic Tolerant Structures: Glass and Quartz structural laminates for ‘blade-out’ in compressor to replace parasitic wraps over metal case. Also, bird impact damage and energy absorption.
Advanced Lightning Protection Systems: Hybrid Diverter systems for improved electrostatic protection. Reduces antenna ‘streamer’ damage (static burns) that causes moisture ingression into sandwich.
New Technology Radomes: Automotive Materials & Processes - several different technologies. Low material cost and very short cycle time. Qualification and Certification on-going.
Advanced Paint Systems: Improved erosion resistance, consistent anti-static resistance, ease of application.
Advanced Engineering: Finite Element Modeling and Computer Aided Analysis, Structural Performance, RF performance, Ballistic Tolerance. Responsive ICAW (CMM/SRM) support. Instructions of product technology, certification, and testing.
Sandwich Core Technology: Honeycomb and thermoplastic foam. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Final decision is customer preference or unique requirement of particular application.
Ballistic Tolerant Structures
Small Jet Engine Containment Structures:
- Reduce Likelihood of uncontained engine failure
- NASA-Glen / Saint-Gobain composite material testing
- Quartz and Glass Laminate Materials
- GE Williams, Honeywell, NASA-Glen testing
- University of Akron- FAA modeling using LS-DYNA
Bird Strike Analysis:
- Improve impact modeling for sandwich structures
- University of Akron FEA modeling using LS-DYNA
- AIAA Paper Published
- Using EMB-170 / 190 Test Results
Advanced Diverter Technology: Electrostatic problems (static, antenna streamers, lighting strike) cause significant radome removals. Advanced lightning diverter concepts can greatly improve protection. Must Improve Protection without much degradation to RF transparency.
Hybrid Diverter System: solid bar diverter aft, segmented diverter forward. -Minimizes RF impact and improves lighting protection. Risk of reduced erosion resistance.
Advanced Paint Systems
Reduce removals due to paint erosion. Minimize Number of Coatings, Maximize Erosion Protection. Filler, Primers, Anti-Static Coats, Topcoats. Double-duty coatings. Must be easy to apply, cost effective, keep RF transparency.
Technologies: Erosion Boots (3M, PM, etc). Caapcoat - US DOD (AMS-C-83231, AMS-C-83445). Advanced Paint Systems, Paint suppliers. WBAFB Whirling Arm Erosion Test Facility. In-House Sand Blasting, screening test.
Key Results: Erosion resistance only as good as the weakest coating. Anti-static resistance can be too low and cause problems.