Evaluation of Mechanical/Electromagnetic Preformation of Single-Sided Active Frequency Selective Surface for Stealth Radomes

Abstract

In this study, a pattern for an active frequency selective surface (AFSS) applicable to stealth radomes was designed and manufactured. Subsequently, its effectiveness was verified via measurements of its electromagnetic performance, and its mechanical performance was numerically evaluated in an actual flight environment. An AFSS equipped with a PIN diode was designed to have a transmission frequency in the X-band using only one side of a surface. To evaluate the mechanical performance when the designed AFSS was applied to a stealth radome, flow analysis was performed on the basis of the shape of the F-35 combat aircraft. Moreover, structural analysis of the stealth radome was performed using the pressure distribution at the maximum velocity of the F-35, as determined via the flow analysis. On the basis of the structural analysis results, the mechanical performance of the designed stealth radome was evaluated via analysis of the stress distribution of the AFSS diode. Through this study, an AFSS pattern applicable to stealth radomes was proposed, and its mechanical/electromagnetic performance was evaluated to verify the feasibility of stealth radomes incorporated with AFSSs.