Abstract: Radomes include an outer wall having a first average thickness and an inner wall having a second average thickness that is different from the first average thickness. At least a major portion of the inner wall is separated from at least a major portion of the outer wall by a space therebetween. The outer wall may comprise a layer of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. Aircraft and spacecraft include such radomes. Methods of forming radomes include forming an outer wall having a first average thickness, forming an inner wall having a different second average thickness, and coupling together the inner wall and the outer wall in such a manner as to provide a space between at least a major portion of the outer wall and at least a major portion of the inner wall.

Abstract: Radomes include an outer wall having a first average thickness and an inner wall having a second average thickness that is different from the first average thickness. At least a major portion of the inner wall is separated from at least a major portion of the outer wall by a space therebetween. The outer wall may comprise a layer of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. Aircraft and spacecraft include such radomes. Methods of forming radomes include forming an outer wall having a first average thickness, forming an inner wall having a different second average thickness, and coupling together the inner wall and the outer wall in such a manner as to provide a space between at least a major portion of the outer wall and at least a major portion of the inner wall.

Abstract: A broadband flared slot notch antenna combined with an overhead metal plate resulting in an improved front-to-back ratio and a reduced response to crossed polarized radiation. The antenna is provided by a metal layer deposited on a dielectric substrate which is etched to form a pair of symmetrical slot sections having facing edges which increasingly curve away from each other to a maximum spacing point which is the antenna aperture. A linking slot interconnects the slot sections at a feed point spaced from the aperture. High frequency electrical voltage applied at the feed point achieves launch of an electromagnetic wave from the aperture. The overhead metal plate is parallel and closely spaced above and shorted to the antenna thereby reducing radiation emissions that are not in the direction of that launched from the aperture.

Abstract: An antenna (10) is provided by a metal layer (12) deposited on a dielectric substrate (16) which is etched to form a pair of symmetrical slot sections (20,22) having facing edges which increasingly curve away from each other to a maximum spacing point which is the antenna aperture (26). A linking slot (32) interconnects the slot sections (20,22) at a feed point (30) spaced from the aperture (26). High frequency electrical voltage applied at the feed point (30) achieves launch of an electromagnetic wave from the aperture (26). An alternative feed network uses a 180.degree. hybrid (60) providing simultaneous horizontal and vertical polarization operation.

Abstract: Resonant, end fire antennae that operate over broad frequency bands with a boosted gain at a preferred frequency, that can be incorporated into arrays, and that have low RF cross-sections are constructed from a transmission line, usually a piece of coaxial cable that if it is not self supporting, is mounted on or in a lightweight structural material with an outer end with a sheath or stripline the shape of half of a notch. The other half of the notch is formed from a conductor electrically connected to the center conductor of the coaxial cable. The cable and conductor are variably spaced to transition the characteristic impedance of the cable to that of free space. The transmission line and the conductor each have a quarter wavelength tuning stub connected thereto to boost the gain of the antenna at a predetermined frequency. The conductor and the sheath are terminated either with ground connections or by inductive loads.