Radomes for Aerospace and Ground Applications

EXPERIENCE: Our team includes some of the best radome experts in the country. From low-cost to low loss to flight-qualified, from simple panels to curved shapes to multicomponent large-scale structures, we have the expertise to meet or exceed your technical requirements, while keeping cost and schedule in check.

OUR WORK: We design, analyze, prototype, test, and manufacture low-cost ground, flight-qualified, and specialty radomes.

THE MATERIALS: Fiberglass, quartz, and high-temperature ceramic matrix composites. We can integrate metallic and carbon fiber components.

SPECIALTIES: UHF to 100 GHz. Using the right materials for your application. Tuning the radome to your specific bandwidths. High performance and low loss radomes.

The Rock West Advantage

TOOLING INNOVATIONS: We have reduced tooling costs through innovative, non-machined alternatives that provide cosmetic surfaces without the expense or time of CNC-machined tools.

IN-HOUSE RF TESTING: We can test for RF optimization in-house, reducing cost and schedule risk.

COATINGS:  We can apply specialty coatings, lightening diverters, and anti-static paint.

AERODYNAMICS: Our design engineers can maximize view angles for optimal signal.

Specialty Radomes (Large, Multiple Components, CMCs)

We have built radomes as large as 8’x18’ and ones that can withstand Mach speeds and loading greater than 20G. With our materials knowledge, manufacturing precision, and government contract experience, we can help your program pass qualifications. Whether it’s multi-piece construction that includes inserts or integration of disparate materials or that requires operation in extreme environments, our team will find the best solution to your challenges. 

Flight-qualified radome. Painted grey.

Flight-qualified Radomes

We have built flight-qualified radomes for both commercial and military customers. Whether you need quartz or fiberglass, flat or curved or multicomponent panels, we have experience with these and more. Our team understands the environmental considerations that impact ruggedness and structural integrity.

Low-cost ground radome panels

Low-cost Ground Radomes

We can maximize performance while reducing cost by analyzing requirements against materials and processes, finding manufacturing efficiencies, and strategic material choices. RWC will collaborate with you on build-to-print programs to optimize material, improve tooling and increase throughput, RF performance and cost efficiency.

Read more about the radomes shown here in our case study Radar System Ku-band Radome Cover.

Finite Element Analysis video of a bird strike on a radome. Curved structure deflates partially as it is impacted by a incoming body.

Reduce Risk with In-house Technical Services

Our team can assist you in a variety of ways to help bring your project to fruition:

  • Engineering team with in-depth radome experience
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Rapid prototyping
  • In-house testing for RF optimization
  • Qualification testing
  • Aerodynamic analysis

Our high-performance radomes can be designed to work in the following bandwidths and more: L-band, S-band, C-band, X-band, Ku-band, Ka-band, Q-band, E-band, V-band, W-band, in addition to multi-band and multi-spectral.

Banner image credit: http://www.navair.navy.mil/img/uploads/GQM_163_COYOTE_Launch_in_France_4_APR_12.jpg. Use does not imply endorsement.

Cropped image of two C-sandwich curved panel radomes showing the edge detail. Interior of the curve is yellowish in color. Outside is painted white. They are on a white background.
Image of C-sandwich curved panel radome from the front, sitting on a white surface. Interior of the curve is yellowish in color. Outside is painted white.
Image of two C-sandwich curved panel radomes, up with the interior facing up and one sitting interior down on the table. Interior of the curve is yellowish in color. Outside is painted white. They are on a white background.
Satcom aircraft radome. Grey radome with lightning diverters. Taken in a warehouse environment
Satcom aircraft radome. Black paint exterior with white lightning diverters and yellowish interior. Radome is on it's side.
Satcom aircraft radome. Black paint exterior with white lightning diverters.
Flight radome painted white with lightning diverters. Rock West logo on the side. Radome sits on a white table with a neutral background
A series of radomes sitting on a table in a warehouse before being taken into an area for coating.
Large ground-based X-band radome for military end-use. Radome is in a paint booth with a freshly painted beige surface.
Low-cost ground radome for military-end use. Radome sits on a white surface.
Low-cost ground radomes for military-end use. One radome sits on its base and one lays on its side showing the interio.
Low cost ground radome panels in a row
Underwater RF apparatus. Fiberglass long conical shape sitting on a granite table.
Radome under manufacture. Composite material is laid up in a tool, bagged, and under a vacuum to debulk the material before the next stage of the manufacturing process.
Multipart radome. This flight-qualified hardware is painted a glossy dark blue. It has a rounded shape and sits on a white table and background.
Multipart flight-qualified radome, detail of attachment points and lightning diverters. Surface is painted a glossy dark blue.
Escape hatch radome for aircraft. A rectangular panel with rounded corners painted grey. There is a dark grey border with the works "no step" on two sides and a yellow line across the center.
Radome environmental electrical cable covers - 2 per system. Image shows the structures at an angle. The interior is dark beige and exterior is painted white. They sit on a white background.
X-band belly radome in a paint booth for priming. Radome is on a table in the booth. Coating is yellow/orange.
Ka-band and Ku-band radomes in assembly. Two dome shaped radomes balance upside down on an assembly table in a manufacturing environment.
Large, ground-based radome in paint booth with white, reflective paint on its surface
Radome prototype, painted white, sitting on white surface.
Three white radomes of various sizes on a wood work surface in a warehouse
White radome tool