China develops airborne conformal antenna for helicopters

BEIJING, May 31 (Xinhua) -- China's first domestic airborne conformal antenna for helicopters has passed tests for electromagnetic performance, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The newly-developed conformal antenna is expected to be applied in the country's home-built helicopters, said the state-owned aviation giant.

The electromagnetic performance tests showed that the conformal antenna had met development expectations, it said.

Traditional aviation antennae are mostly rod ones installed on the surface of the aircraft. They influence the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft and are easily affected by its aerodynamic loading.

In comparison, the conformal antenna aligns with the configuration of the helicopter. It has no influence on the aircraft's aerodynamic surface and is more reliable as it is not directly affected by aerodynamic loading.

Conformal antennae are installed internally, making them more difficult to be detected by radar systems.

AVIC said they had overcome multiple challenges, such as the complex manufacturing process of the structural parts, units coupling and severe test conditions, in developing the antenna. Enditem