RADAR - Reflecting

Dual Beam Radar

Elston Engineering Services has helped radar systems companies to devise lightweight solutions for their antennas and support structures by employing modern Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) techniques of Solid Modelling, Finite Element Analysis and Dynamic Analysis to enhance more traditional engineering knowledge and computations.

Carbon composite construction was the ideal solution for achieving the required high accuracy and stiffness of this 4.5 meter span by 0.75 meter high reflector of a dual-beam shipborne radar, achieving an accuracy of 0.15mm RMS over its full surface.  The support structure, with its long boom to position the feed horns, was designed as an aluminium alloy fabrication to give the required stiffness together with strength to resist dynamic shock conditions.  The CAE tools were invaluable in refining the combined composite and fabrication designs.