RAVS was designed to measure the Special Operations Forces' MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft's nose radome.

The measurement system consists of a 75ft long by 40ft wide by 30ft high shielded anechoic chamber that houses a Scientific-Atlanta compact range, Orbit/FR 11-axis test positioner, and Agilent instrumentation.

RAVS is capable of performing automated data acquisition, analysis and performance report generation for:

• Transmission Efficiency and Reflected Power
• Beam Deflection
• Sidelobe Increase
• Mainlobe Pattern Distortion and Axial Ratio

Technical papers:

"System Design of a Compact Range Verification Facility for a Large Multi-Band Radome," paper presented at AMTA 2000

"A Broadband, Polarization Selectable Feed for Compact Range Applications" paper presented at AMTA 1999

The Howland Company:

• Established chamber size and performance criteria
• Developed the basic electromagnetic design
• Designed the EMI shielding and performed shielding acceptance tests
• Developed & validated radome mounting and handling procedures
• Reviewed specifications for conformance with USAF requirements
• Supported the general contractor during construction of the host building
• Performed Systems Engineering and Integration
• Designed and built the multi-polarization broadband feed network
• Performed range Quiet Zone field probing
• Developed USAF Technical Order and System Safety, Human Engineering, and Training Program plans and reports
• Developed Acceptance Test Plan and Procedure documents and participated in acceptance testing

Compact Range Field Probe Measurements

The Combat Talon II nose radome--on the aircraft, and being tested in RAVS. The MC-130H nose radome is one of the largest radomes in the USAF inventory, and a test & measurement challenge.

RAVS is operated and maintained by the engineers and technicians
of the Avionics Management Directorate. Click the image above to see
a video they produced of the RAVS compact range
and the radome/antenna positioner.

The photographers at Airliners.net have contributed some outstanding images of the MC-130H; here are links to some that highlight the nose radome (links will open in a new window):