Abstract: A method for making a radome includes the steps of placing a first dry fiber preform into a female mold having a mold surface contoured as a negative image of a desired contour to be imparted to an exterior surface of the radome, and placing a polyetherimide foam core in the mold on top of the first dry fiber preform, the foam core having first been thermally formed to generally match the contour of the mold surface prior to being placed in the mold. Next, a second dry fiber preform is placed on top of the foam core so as to form a sandwich structure having the foam core sandwiched between the dry fiber preforms, and the dry fiber preforms are vacuum infused with a fluid heat-curable resin to impregnate the preforms with the resin. The sandwich structure is then heated to cure the resin.

Abstract: A method for making a radome includes the steps of placing a first dry fiber preform into a female mold having a mold surface contoured as a negative image of a desired contour to be imparted to an exterior surface of the radome, and placing a polyetherimide foam core in the mold on top of the first dry fiber preform, the foam core having first been thermally formed to generally match the contour of the mold surface prior to being placed in the mold. Next, a second dry fiber preform is placed on top of the foam core so as to form a sandwich structure having the foam core sandwiched between the dry fiber preforms, and the dry fiber preforms are vacuum infused with a fluid heat-curable resin to impregnate the preforms with the resin. The sandwich structure is then heated to cure the resin.