Abstract: A structure comprises a first component subject to loading and connected to a second component via a load transmitting member so that the loading exerted by the first component is imposed on the second component. The first component includes a surface secured to a complementary first surface of said load transmitting member and the second component includes a surface secured to a complementary second surface of said load transmitting member. The load transmitting member and the second component are formed of materials having relatively superior and inferior mechanical properties, respectively and the area of said surface of the second component is greater than the area of said surface of the first component. The first component may be an antenna and the second component a radome for a submarine formed of, for example, syntactic foam. The load transmitting member may be formed from fibre-reinforced plastics material.

Abstract: A structure to be subjected to bending and fatigue loading comprises two components having different stiffness connected together. Deflection of the more flexible component is accommodated by the interposition of an intermediate member of varying flexibility between the components or by providing the less flexible component with a flexible portion to act as a fulcrum for the deflection. The components may be a radar-transparent cover and a mounting therefor for use in a submarine.