Wingtip SDL Pods for 360-Degree Monostatic Radar Cross Section Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subscale aerial drone targets have inadequate monostatic radar cross section (RCS) to emulate larger aircraft, limiting their ability to represent realistic fighter aircraft RCS over wide aspect angles due to interference effects from multiple augmenters, necessitating the use of expensive full-scale fighter aircraft for testing.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pod with multiple spherical dielectric lenses (SDLs) mounted on an aircraft, including forward, rear, and mid-body Luneburg lenses, providing 360-degree aspect monostatic RCS coverage by reflecting electromagnetic radiation and incorporating radar absorbing material to minimize interference, allowing for wider aspect angle coverage without scintillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple augmenters are used to cover wider aspect angle ranges, then the RCS coverage is improved, but interference effects and scintillation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the RCS augmentation function into multiple separate augmenters positioned at different locations on the aircraft (nose, wingtips, tail). Each augmener covers a specific aspect angle range, and their combined coverage achieves 360-degree azimuthal coverage without significant interference effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-location augmenters to multi-dimensional spatial distribution of augmenters across the aircraft structure. By positioning augmenters in three-dimensional space at strategic locations, the system achieves comprehensive angular coverage while minimizing overlap and interference through proper spatial separation.
2Ease of manufacture
If subscale drone targets are used to represent larger aircraft, then cost and safety are improved, but RCS adequacy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the electromagnetic parameters of the subscale target by incorporating spherical dielectric lenses with specific refractive indices and sizes. These parameter modifications enable the small target to present a larger effective radar cross section that accurately emulates full-scale aircraft RCS characteristics across various aspect angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining dielectric lens materials with reflective surfaces and radar-absorbing materials. This composite approach allows the subscale target to achieve enhanced RCS properties while maintaining its physical compactness, enabling cost-effective testing without sacrificing electromagnetic signature accuracy.
3Reliability
If full-scale fighter aircraft are used for testing, then RCS realism is improved, but cost and availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates an electromagnetic copy of full-scale aircraft RCS characteristics using subscale targets equipped with augmenters. By replicating the radar scattering properties, aspect angle dependencies, and polarization characteristics of full-scale aircraft through carefully designed lens arrays, the patent enables realistic testing with much cheaper and more available subscale platforms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively enhances and manipulates the RCS of an aircraft in 360-degrees aspect angle, providing a cost-effective solution to represent fighter and bomber-sized aircraft RCS, reducing the need for full-scale aircraft in testing scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of SDLs may be arranged to reflect electromagnetic radiation and provide RCS coverage over a region around the pod of about 0 to 180 degrees in an azimuthal plane
Implementation Method 2
a reflective surface located within and radar absorbing material (RAM) on at least a portion of the reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system for augmenting 360-degree aspect monostatic radar cross section of an aircraft. The system may comprise a pair of pods mountable on opposing wing tips of an aircraft and each having a pod housing with an elongate body tapering forwardly to a nose and rearwardly to a tail. Each pod may comprise a forward SDL disposed within the nose, a rear SDL disposed within the tail, and a pair of mid-body SDLs disposed within a mid-section of the pod housing. The SDLs may be arranged within the pods to reflect radiation and provide coverage around the aircraft over a region of about 360 azimuth degrees. Each SDL may comprise radar absorbing material located on an interior reflective surface, and portions of the elongate bodies may be constructed of radome material. The SDLs may be Luneburg lens having diameters of at least approximately 8-inches.