- Email: [email protected]
Composite sandwich passes radar tests
rp4803pgs4_19.qxd
10/03/2004
17:03
Page 4
applications news
Composite sandwich passes radar tests
The radar system has recently undergone extensive primary structure load and lightning testing.
DEFENCE company Northrop Grumman Corp has selected Alcan Baltek's structural foam core material for use on its Multirole Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar. Mounted on top of a Boeing 737 aircraft, this system is designed as the next-generation Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) programme. The composite radome is produced by Composite Optics
of San Diego, California. It was designed by a combined Northrop Grumman and Composite Optics team. The foam is processed and supplied by Alcan Baltek of Northvale, New Jersey. The MESA antenna consists of a composite structure that supports sideemitting elec-tronic manifold arrays and an end-firing array. foam core AIREX ® R82
material was the best core choice for this application because of its high radar transparency, says Alcan. “MESA’s ultra-light foam sandwich construction enables state-of-the-art-performance at a fraction of the weight of conventional systems, allowing additional time on station for the aircraft,” states Northrop Grumman marketing manager Alan Colegrove.
The system has recently undergone successful extensive primary structure load and lightning testing. Northrop Grumman is manufacturing the MESA radar under contract to Boeing, which is currently producing the system for Australia and Turkey. Alcan Baltek; website: www.baltek.com; Northrop Grumman; website: www.north ropgrumman.com.
Hobas relines Swiss sewer THE REHABILITATION of a sewer collector in Switzerland using Hobas glass reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe systems has been initiated by the local wastewater association. This technique was chosen when it was concluded that full rehabilitation and reconstruction of the sewer would cause severe disruption to traffic in the area. Hobas GRP pipe systems were selected because of their low weight combined with a pump length of 6 m. In addition, the smooth surface of the inner pipe was important as it would reduce the potential
4
REINFORCEDplastics
for blockage. The system also offered chemical resistance. The pipe systems were installed from a single shaft – the starting chamber. Every pipe was equipped with an injection hole, the annular space of which was grouted with a mixture of gravel and cement. Because of existing humidity the grouting material quickly solidified to resemble concrete. Because of this injection system no device was required to ensure buoyancy. In total six shafts were used in the whole project. The shafts were laminated on the installed pipes via openings from the
March 2004
street. In addition, an existing side inlet of DN200 was led into the new pipeline. All relining and fitting was completed within four weeks. In total 92 pipes were installed in only three weeks. The new pipeline crosses a river before connecting to the wastewater treatment plant with a HOBAS Siphon of DN 600. The pipeline is being regularly monitored initial reports suggest that the new work remains in an excellent state. HOBAS Engineering GmbH; tel: +43-4634-8242-438; fax: +43-4634-82121; website: www. hobas.com
Sewer rehabilitation using Hobas pipe.
10/03/2004
17:03
Page 4
applications news
Composite sandwich passes radar tests
The radar system has recently undergone extensive primary structure load and lightning testing.
DEFENCE company Northrop Grumman Corp has selected Alcan Baltek's structural foam core material for use on its Multirole Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar. Mounted on top of a Boeing 737 aircraft, this system is designed as the next-generation Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) programme. The composite radome is produced by Composite Optics
of San Diego, California. It was designed by a combined Northrop Grumman and Composite Optics team. The foam is processed and supplied by Alcan Baltek of Northvale, New Jersey. The MESA antenna consists of a composite structure that supports sideemitting elec-tronic manifold arrays and an end-firing array. foam core AIREX ® R82
material was the best core choice for this application because of its high radar transparency, says Alcan. “MESA’s ultra-light foam sandwich construction enables state-of-the-art-performance at a fraction of the weight of conventional systems, allowing additional time on station for the aircraft,” states Northrop Grumman marketing manager Alan Colegrove.
The system has recently undergone successful extensive primary structure load and lightning testing. Northrop Grumman is manufacturing the MESA radar under contract to Boeing, which is currently producing the system for Australia and Turkey. Alcan Baltek; website: www.baltek.com; Northrop Grumman; website: www.north ropgrumman.com.
Hobas relines Swiss sewer THE REHABILITATION of a sewer collector in Switzerland using Hobas glass reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe systems has been initiated by the local wastewater association. This technique was chosen when it was concluded that full rehabilitation and reconstruction of the sewer would cause severe disruption to traffic in the area. Hobas GRP pipe systems were selected because of their low weight combined with a pump length of 6 m. In addition, the smooth surface of the inner pipe was important as it would reduce the potential
4
REINFORCEDplastics
for blockage. The system also offered chemical resistance. The pipe systems were installed from a single shaft – the starting chamber. Every pipe was equipped with an injection hole, the annular space of which was grouted with a mixture of gravel and cement. Because of existing humidity the grouting material quickly solidified to resemble concrete. Because of this injection system no device was required to ensure buoyancy. In total six shafts were used in the whole project. The shafts were laminated on the installed pipes via openings from the
March 2004
street. In addition, an existing side inlet of DN200 was led into the new pipeline. All relining and fitting was completed within four weeks. In total 92 pipes were installed in only three weeks. The new pipeline crosses a river before connecting to the wastewater treatment plant with a HOBAS Siphon of DN 600. The pipeline is being regularly monitored initial reports suggest that the new work remains in an excellent state. HOBAS Engineering GmbH; tel: +43-4634-8242-438; fax: +43-4634-82121; website: www. hobas.com
Sewer rehabilitation using Hobas pipe.