Design and Verification of an Integrated Free-Standing Thick-Screen FSS Radome

Abstract

Frequency selective surface (FSS) radomes can effectively improve the stealth of flying weapons. In this letter, an integrated free-standing thick-screen FSS radome is designed using the CST simulation software. The bandpass characteristic is achieved by Y-shaped apertures with periodic distribution around the central axis of the radome. Based on a model of a round-head FSS radome with a built-in phased array antenna, we have analyzed the bandpass transmittance and boresight error of the radome. The copper shell was prepared by a spin forming process. The FSS radome was fabricated by a laser robot system with multiple degrees of freedom and a rotary platform. The results of the microwave anechoic chamber test show that the thick-screen bandpass FSS radome has a good electromagnetic performance with a passband transmittance of about 80% and a stopband transmittance of less than 10%.