Abstract: The removalbe radome cover shown here is suitable for protecting the radome at the nose of a high speed missile before the radar is turned on. An outer layer lies over, but is not bonded to, an inner layer, and is divided into longitudinal sheets by tear lines. When the radar is to be turned on, a pyrotechnic device at the nose of the radome drives a piston-operated cone forward. Knives on the outside of the cone start to tear the tear lines. The cone lifts the sheets from the inner layer. A spreader lies under each sheet and, rotated by the piston, spreads the sheet further from the inner layer. Air catches the sheets and tears then back to the base of the nose cone. A metal strip along the center of each sheet prevents it from disintegrating before being fully torn back, and provides an engaging surface for the spreader. Thus, only the inner layer will be presented to the radar after the radar is turned on.

Abstract: A combined RF/IR system in which a common surface is used in the dual modes of radiating and absorbing RF energy and of reflecting and focusing IR energy. The common surface is structured, configured, and used as the slotted array antenna for the RF energy and as the primary mirror of a Cassegrain optical subsystem for the IR energy.