Experimental Investigation of Radome Icing and Icing Protection Page: 2 of 61
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Authority
NACA RM E52J31 I 2 Date ' y -
FEB 12 1954 & 7 t8
NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS
RESEARCH MEMORANDUM
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF RADOME ICING AND ICING PROTECTION
By James P. Lewis and Robert J. Blade
SUMMARY
An investigation has been conducted in the NACA Lewis icing research
tunnel to determine the icing characteristics, the effects of icing on
radar operation, and the protection requirements for two radome con-
figurations. The radomes were for the F-89 airplane and were investi-
gated at airspeeds up to 290 miles per hour, air total temperatures from
-150 to +200 F, water contents up to 1.0 gram per cubic meter, and
angles of attack of 00 and 40. A fluid protection system using ethylene
glycol was used for both anti-icing and de-icing.
The impingement of water and formation of ice on the radomes were
found to agree well with theory and experience. The ice formations were
found to produce serious effects on the radar performance. The fluid
protection system gave adequate icing protection with anti-icing and
de-icing requirements of practical magnitude.
INTRODUCTION
In modern all-weather aircraft, radar has become of increasing
importance in assuring successful performance of the airplane in all
atmospheric and operational conditions. This is particularly true of
military aircraft, where, in addition to its use as a landing and navi-
gational aid, radar is used for bomb sighting, target tracking, and
gunfire control. Successful operation of modern aircraft demands, there-
fore, unimpeded radar operation.
The radome or radar housing serves a dual role, being part of both
the radar system and the aircraft structure. As part of the radar system
the radome is designed to have the minimum effect on the radar operation;
as an airplane component it is subject to normal airplane design problems
including that of icing and icing protection. Radomes are normally of
such a shape and location on the aircraft that the aerodynamic penalties
resulting from icing are usually negligible; the main concern is the
preservation of the radar operation. It is of importance, therefore, to
know the effect of radome icing on the radar electrical properties. In
addition, it is necessary to evaluate the radome icing-protection system
as regards both the removal or prevention of ice and any possible effectson radar operation.
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Lewis, James P. & Blade, Robert J. Experimental Investigation of Radome Icing and Icing Protection, report, January 20, 1953; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc53442/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.