Protection of Aircraft Radomes against Direct Lightning Strikes—An Overview
Christian Karch, F. Heidler, Christian Paul
Abstract
The aim of this contribution is to design and test the lightning protection of an aircraft radome exposed to direct lightning strikes. The influencing parameters are investigated on different radome wall samples equipped with solid and segmented diverter strips. The effectiveness of the lightning interception and protection measures is tested with different high-voltage waveforms and representative high-current pulses. The tests show that reliable radome lightning protection can be achieved by an optimized arrangement of solid and segmented diverter strips, even if the aircraft radome has a huge size, with dimensions up to several meters.
Topics & Concepts
RadomeLightning (connector)STRIPSWaveformInterceptionLightning strikeEnvironmental scienceVoltageAerospace engineeringEngineeringMaterials scienceElectrical engineeringLightning arresterAntenna (radio)PhysicsBiologyEcologyQuantum mechanicsComposite materialPower (physics)Lightning and Electromagnetic PhenomenaPlant Surface Properties and TreatmentsElectrical Fault Detection and Protection