Analysis of Extended Off-Surface Radiators

Abstract

An extension of the method of moments (MM) technique predicting the radiation characteristics of extended HF and VHF off-surface radiators on aircraft, is presented. In this analysis, the aircraft fuselage is approximated as a body of revolution. Protruding appendages on the body (such as rotors on helicopters) are treated as parasitic elements. A computer algorithm implementing this approach is used to calculate the power radiated by helicopters equipped with off-surface radiators. The effects of lossy ground planes in vicinity of the aircraft are considered and compared with published range data.