We supported a very talented team of engineers to help develop the Hurricane Imaging Radar (HiRAD) and radome structure used on the NASA WB-57 Aircraft. HiRAD, managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is an airborne microwave sensor that is used to collect data on the wind fields within strong hurricanes.
To support the development and performance flight tests, we performed detailed stress and stability analyses on the radar structure and the mechanical interfaces to the aircraft. We also performed detailed strength and stability assessments on the quartz prepreg and Rohacell foam core radome installed on the WB-57 Aircraft.
The radome was designed for optimum dielectric and loss tangent performance. All of these analyses were documented to support the NASA flightworthiness process.