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. |