Radomes Will Have 'Outstanding' Protection From Elements'

Smaller jets, by nature, tend to land and take off more often than their larger brethren. That means they spend a greater ratio of their flight time climbing and descending through rain and hail, and their radomes often take the brunt of the beating. Saint-Gobain Flight Structures has told Aero-News they have agreed to supply their nearly indestructible radomes to two companies to two aircraft companies whose planes will do a lot of this kind of flying:  Adam Aircraft, and Embraer.

"Paint erosion on the nose tip of the radome is a big eyesore in aviation," says Kelly Harris, a sales manager with SG (Saint-Gobain) Flight Structures, based in Ravenna, OH.

Norton Armor paint system was developed specifically to provide a durable paint that would not erode or chip like standard paint. It is also very transparent to weather radar meaning increased accuracy to locate and display storms. Lightweight composite material has also been developed to make the radome both lighter and stronger. Combined, this serves to make a radome that is better in virtually every way with no downside. 

"We're very excited to be selected as the provider of performance radomes for the new Phenom Executive Jets, says Eric Hilliard, business manager for Flight Structures, "Saint Gobain has been a world-class supplier to Embraer for more than 30 years and the Norton design will provide the most transparent and durable nose cone." He continued, "the latest and best Saint-Gobain technology will be included in the nose radome for the Adam A700, giving the customer a durable radome that is essentially 'transparent" to the weather radar used to avoid bad weather in flight."

Currently, these radomes are being used on over 200 aircraft, and Saint Gobain expects quite a few more after durability tests are completed by corporate owners and the airlines.

FMI: www.radome.com