Today’s communication networks are used as platforms to maintain an always-on resource and information advantage, making network protection a critical element of design. Given the risks involved in combat and first responder situations, network and communications sys-tems must be more than mobile and secure; they must also be physically protected from ballistic attacks.

Communications antennas are critical components of mobile network architecture and satellite communications system, and if the system is compromised, so is the mission. With antennas and other critical network infrastructure frequently on the com-mand vehicles of mobile communications units, these elements must be physically protected so the network will continue to inform the mission.

LGS Innovations is one of the first companies to provide a radome solution with the following critical features:

» Ballistic Protection

» Radio Frequency (RF) Transparency

» Low Weight

» Affordable Cost

BALLISTIC RADOMESProtecting Mission-Critical Communications

L G S I N N O V A T I O N S 32 L G S I N N O V A T I O N S

Mobile Communications StrengthMeeting Need for Network Protection The Government Communications Lab (GCL) of LGS Innovations leverages the plastics innovation heritage of Bell Labs to protect and ruggedize communications networks to deliver breakthrough antenna protection.

LGS Innovations Ballistic Radomes are suitable for a number of different Satellite Communications On-the-Move (SOTM) applications and have been designed to meet the need for a military or first responder mobile satellite communication and terrestrial network able to move voice, video, and data across long distances.

Satellite parabolic dish antennas mounted on command vehicles are typically covered with thin molded or thermoformed dust covers that provide little impact protection and are easily damaged in combat. To address these shortcomings, LGS Innovations develops its ballistic radomes using thermoplastic composite material with radio frequency (RF) transparency that increases both the functionality and the ruggedness of the radome. This capability opens up a variety of applications in the radar and communications areas, where the plastic polymer can provide impact and ballistic protection to a radar or communications transceiver with negligible impact on the network’s performance.

Even under extreme heat or cold, LGS Innovations’ ballistic radomes have excellent impact strength. The weatherable thermoplastic composite armor works well in harsh environments, and its hydrophobic coatings ensure that water won’t interfere with the communications. The affordable, low-weight material can also be formed into net shapes that do not require a supporting superstructure, allowing LGS Innovations to design ballistic radomes that cover and protect a variety of antenna systems, including parabolic, beam, patch, and phased array antennas.

The thermoplastic composite used in LGS Innovations ballistic radomes has multiple characteristics to protect mobile communications units:

» Rugged to protect the antennas from shocks and impacts, including protection against flying debris, thrown and dropped objects, wind loads, and significant dead loads

» Non-conductive and non-corrosive with low toxicity, low smoke, and fire retardant » Weather resistant and well suited for harsh outdoor environments » Multi-hit survivability: no crack propagation, low fragmentation upon impact, little or no ricochet or flying

debris, localized damage sites

Research & Development

The LGS Innovations GCL undertakes experimental and computational efforts aimed at understanding the mechanics of high-speed collisions and ballistic impact on multi-layered composite armor system for the purposes of optimization. Research and development efforts are directed to improve the plastic armor ballistic performance and provide lower weight, greater degrees of ballistic and blast protection, net-shape single armor parts, and lower RF loss.

As antenna requirements vary with each mission, LGS Innovations customizes the ballistic radomes design to meet mission requirements, including weight, protection levels, insertion loss, and operating frequency. LGS Innovations can provide affordable ballistic radome in a broad range of sizes, shapes, and finish colors so that the ballistic radome can be a drop-in replacement for an existing non-ballistic radome.

LGS Innovations leverages breakthroughs in thermoplastics composite material technology and fabrication processes from the GCL and Bell Labs to produce armor products, components, and systems for U.S. deployed forces, homeland security missions, and emergency first responders. These solutions offer superior ballistic and blast resistance protection and are smaller, lighter, smarter, multi-functional, environmentally friendly, compatible, more survivable, customizable, and affordable.

The LGS Ballistic Radome project is subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) set forth by the U.S. Government.

PA R A M E T E R V A L U E

Size, RF Frequency, and Finish Color

As Required by System

Areal Density for NIJ0108.01 Level 1 Ballistic Protection

2.1 lb / FT2

Insertion Loss < 0.5 dB

Finish Hydrophobic Coating

Environmental MIL-STD-810F

Contamination Biological / Chemical Resiststant

Example of design and fabrication capabilities of a ballistic radome for a satellite-communication-on-the-move antenna system. The ballistic radome replaces a non-ballistic dust cover without changes to the mounting interface.

PHOTO COURTESY US ARMY

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Herndon, VA 20171

T E L : 1-866-LGS-4243 (1-866-547-4243) u R L : www.lgsinnovations.com

LGS, LGS Innovations, and the LGS Innovations logo are trademarks of LGS Innovations LLC. The information presented is subject to change without notice.

© 2016 – LGS INNOVATIONS

ABOuT LGS INNOVATIONSLGS Innovations delivers mission-critical communications products, R&D, and supporting services to U.S. defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies, state and local govern-ments, critical infrastructure operators, and commercial customers around the world. We create advanced solu-tions in wireless communications, signals processing and analysis, optical networking, photonics, routing and switching, and spectrum management.

These solutions drive mission success in Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), cyberspace operations, and network assurance. By incorporating best-in-class commercial and custom technologies with a full suite of offerings in research and development, engineering, integration, and product applications, our solutions improve efficiency, reduce costs, and provide an information advantage to our customers.

LGS has a history and culture of innovation, and maintains strong ties to our Bell Labs legacy of inventive develop-ment. Our intellectual curiosity keeps us on the cutting edge of technology and leverages our 75-year history of creating next-generation communications solutions to support critical operations.

LGS Innovations is a U.S.-owned company headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, with offices across the U.S. and overseas. We employ more than 1,000 associates around the world, including 750 scientists and engineers. Do you have a passion for innovation? So do we. Learn more at www.lgsinnovations.com.

PHOTO COURTESY US ARMY